Windows Security shows "Potentially unwanted app found" but nothing appears on Protection history

Question

I am on Windows 11 and Windows Security keeps notifying me on the system tray with the yellow exclamation point that actions are recommended. After clicking the icon, the problem is within the App & browser control saying "Potentially unwanted app found. Your device may perform poorly." However, after clicking the review button, the Protection history shows nothing, only "No recent actions." I performed virus scan with Kaspersky Internet Security and Malwarebytes and both show no threats. I don't want to simply dismiss the prompt without knowing the cause. Is it a bug or it really detected something? What should I do?

Answer 1

I found this suggestion from searching on the internet, and it worked for me. I went to

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\History

and deleted the Service folder.

Answer 2

SOLUTION:

Okay in my case it turned out to be some Dogecoin mining software. I got rid of it.

Go here: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\History\Service

Open your file Detections.log.

Open the locations of anything you find there. Delete anything that doesn't look right, or has an X beside it.

Answer 3

If nothing is there then it's likely you got rid of it already but the notification is lingering. For me that was the case, I downloaded something then deleted it.

Within Windows Defender go to App & Browser Control > Reputation-based protection settings and then turn off "Potentially unwanted app blocking". Go back to Home > App & Browser control and dismiss the notification. Then go back and turn "Potentially unwanted app blocking" back on.

Answer 4

Hi EtherealDarkFlame

I am Dave, I will help you with this.

A PUA (potentially unwanted app) is not a virus r malware, it is just a piece of software installed on your PC that Defender deems to be unwanted, or software that has a bad reputation.

Is there any indication in Defender what software it is listing as a PUA?

Hi Dave, sorry for the delayed response. I am still experiencing this issue. When I try to look in the protection history, nothing is listed as PUA and only shows "No recent actions". Please see attached images. Thanks

Answer 5

Same issue here.