# Disabling App & Browser Control Settings ### Step 1 — Open Windows Security 1. Click the **Start Menu** (Windows icon on the taskbar) 2. Type: ``` Windows Security ``` 3. Click the **Windows Security** app *** ## Step 2 — Open App & Browser Control 1. In the left sidebar, click: ``` App & browser control ``` 2. This page contains: * Reputation-based protection * Exploit protection *** ## Step 3 — Open Reputation-Based Protection Settings 1. Under: ``` Reputation-based protection ``` 2. Click: ``` Reputation-based protection settings ``` 4 *** ## Step 4 — Disable All Reputation-Based Protection Toggles Turn OFF every setting on this page. *** ### Disable “Check apps and files” #### What it does: Checks downloads and apps for possible threats. #### How to disable: 1. Find: ``` Check apps and files ``` 2. Click the toggle so it changes: ``` On → Off ``` *** ### Disable “SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge” #### What it does: Warns about dangerous websites and downloads in Microsoft Edge. #### How to disable: 1. Find: ``` Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge ``` 2. Turn the toggle OFF *** ### Disable “Potentially unwanted app blocking” #### What it does: Blocks apps Windows thinks may be suspicious. #### How to disable: 1. Find: ``` Potentially unwanted app blocking ``` 2. Turn it OFF 3. Extra options may appear: * Block apps * Block downloads 4. Turn BOTH OFF as well *** ### Disable “SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps” #### What it does: Checks Store apps and downloaded files. #### How to disable: 1. Find: ``` Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps ``` 2. Turn it OFF *** ## Step 5 — Accept the Windows Permission Prompt While changing settings, Windows may show: ``` Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? ``` Click: ``` Yes ``` *** ## Step 6 — Open Exploit Protection Settings 1. Go BACK one page to: ``` App & browser control ``` 2. Scroll ALL the way down 3. Click: ``` Exploit protection settings ``` 5 *** ## Step 7 — Open the “System settings” Tab At the top of the Exploit Protection window you will see: * Program settings * System settings Click: ``` System settings ``` *** ## Step 8 — Disable Every Exploit Protection Setting For EACH protection listed: 1. Click the setting 2. Change: ``` On by default ``` to: ``` Off by default ``` 3. Click: ``` Apply ``` *** ## Common Settings You Should Turn Off ### Control Flow Guard (CFG) Protects programs from memory exploits. Set: ``` Off by default ``` *** ### Data Execution Prevention (DEP) Stops malicious code from running in memory. Set: ``` Off by default ``` *** ### Randomize memory allocations (Bottom-up ASLR) Randomizes memory locations used by apps. Turn OFF. *** ### Force randomization for images (Mandatory ASLR) Forces apps to use randomized memory locations. Turn OFF. *** ### Validate exception chains (SEHOP) Protects against exploit attacks using exception handlers. Turn OFF. *** ### Validate heap integrity Protects memory heap structures. Turn OFF. *** ## Step 9 — Apply the Changes After turning everything OFF: 1. Click: ``` Apply ``` 2. Restart your computer *** ## Optional — Disable Tamper Protection If Windows keeps re-enabling settings automatically: 1. Go back to the main Windows Security page 2. Click: ``` Virus & threat protection ``` 3. Under: ``` Virus & threat protection settings ``` click: ``` Manage settings ``` 4. Scroll down 5. Turn OFF: ``` Tamper Protection ``` --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guide.red-xservices.com/common-problems/disabling-app-and-browser-control-settings.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.