Remove default set folders in "Controlled folder access"

Question

With the increasing popularity of ransomware, I've decided to activate the built in Controlled folder access feature within Windows 10.
I however do not store my personal files (the ones I want to have protected) in the default place Windows provides so I added these.

However, I now want to remove all the default set folders (like documents, pictures,...). I simply don't use them but other programs do store their data (data which is not really important to me). To be less annoyed by false positives, I want to remove these default folders but the "Remove" option is grayed out.

Is there another way to remove them?

I have little hope for it that you can as this article states you can't which is sad in my opinion. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/customize-controlled-folders?view=o365-worldwide

I'm running Windows 10 Pro 20H2

Answer 1

Hi SMG. I'm Greg, an Independent Advisor.g

Did you try moving the User folders to the locations where you want your files, rather than using all different folders? See how here:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-move-default...

Also see all other ways Windows 10 offers ransomware protection and recovery:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/rans...

https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/5/17201660/micr...

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/onedrive-windows... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

In addition to cloud storage to get real time changes I would also periodically back up your User folders to an external drive you keep unplugged. This foils ransomware ransom demands.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and I'll be here to help you until it's resolved.

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Answer 2

To control the ransomware have you tried having Malwarebytes?