Top 11 Ways to Fix “This App Has Been Blocked for Your Protection”!

Installing apps on Windows OS is a simple task and supports a vast array of apps. However, when they attempt to open the Device Manager or another software, or when they install a new app on their Windows PC, some customers encounter the error message “This App Has Been Blocked for Your Protection.”

The most common causes of this problem are SmartScreen settings, an intrusive antivirus product, or missing rights. Try these eleven fixes to get rid of the annoying error.

1. Restart Your PC

If you haven’t already, restart your computer before attempting any advanced solutions. It will restart everything, wipe down the RAM, and shut down all background apps and services. Next, try starting the app again to see whether the problem still exists.

2. Grant Administrator Privileges to the App

Try giving the affected app administrator rights if you are unable to launch it by clicking on it. Here’s how to do it:

1. To access the executable file location of the application, press the Windows key + E to launch File Explorer.
2. RMB-click the application icon. Then, in the right pane, select the Run as administrator option.
3. The window for User Account Control will open. To launch the software with administrator rights, click the Yes option.

3. Temporarily Disable User Account Control

Sometimes, User Account Control is too protective and won’t let you start apps. Try starting the app after momentarily disabling the User Account Control to rule out this possibility:

1. Type UAC into the Windows keypad and hit Enter.
2. Click the OK button after dragging the slider to the bottom.
3. The window for User Account Control will open. Press the “Yes” button.
4. Attempt to open the application now, and see whether the error reappears.

After that, don’t forget to return UAC to its original configuration.

4. Switch to the Built-In Admin Account

You might try using Windows 11’s built-in admin account instead. You’ll have nearly total control over the OS’s constituent parts. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and then simultaneously press the Ctrl, Shift, and Enter keys.
2. A window for User Account Control will open. Press the “Yes” button.
3. To run the following command, enter it and hit Enter:
4. Exit the window of the Command Prompt.
5. To access the Start menu, use the Windows key. To access the Administrator account, click the User icon.
6. Check to see if the app launches by logging into the account.

5. Check System Services

Should certain essential services malfunction and cease to function correctly, the error message may appear. Therefore, you need to restart these services. This is how you do it:

1. Type services using the Windows key, then hit Enter.
2. Find the Cryptographic Services by swiping down. When you do a right-click on it, choose Restart.
3. Exit the Services window.

6. Unblock the App from Antivirus Program

Apps that the antivirus software believes to be potentially dangerous may be blocked. First, download the app again from a reliable source and scan the installer for malware. You must unlock the antivirus software if that isn’t the case and it is preventing a genuine app from operating. Here’s how to do it:

1. Type “virus and threat protection” into the Windows keypad and hit Enter.
2. Select the choice for Protection History.
3. Select the app that has been blocked by clicking the arrow symbol in the list.
4. A window for User Account Control will open. Press the “Yes” button.
5. Select Allow on device after selecting the Actions button.
6. Shut down the Windows Security program.

7. Remove a 3rd Party Antivirus Program

Numerous customers have experienced the problem of genuine apps—and occasionally even system apps—being inadvertently disabled by third-party antivirus software.

Thus, you need to uninstall the antivirus software before attempting to open the app once more. You should not fear because Windows Defender will activate on its own when the third-party antivirus software is removed. Here’s how to do it:

1. Type appwiz.cpl using the Windows key, then hit Enter.
2. Locate and right-click the antivirus application installation from the list. Choose the Uninstall option.
3. To uninstall the software, adhere to the on-screen directions.

Read More: How to Get a Refund for App Store and iTunes? A Step By Step Guide in 2023!

8. Tweak SmartScreen Settings

Not only does SmartScreen come built in into the Edge browser, but it also stops undesirable and harmful apps from operating on your computer. On your PC, nevertheless, it can frequently prevent a lot of safe software from operating. You can adjust its parameters as follows:

1. Type reputation-based protection using the Windows key, then hit Enter.
2. Toggle the switch to turn off the potentially unwanted app blocking area by scrolling down and clicking on it.
3. Next, select the Microsoft Store app SmartScreen toggle and turn it off as well.
4. Right now, both functionalities on your PC will be dormant.
5. Exit the Windows Security application.

9. Tweak Group Policy Editor Settings

The app ban may potentially be the result of a misconfigured policy. Therefore, in order to unlock the app, you must disable the policy. Here’s how to do it:

1. Type gpedit.msc into the Windows key field and hit Enter.
2. Go to the part that follows:

Security Options are found under Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies.

3. Press and hold the User Account Control icon twice. Utilize the Admin Approval Mode policy for all administrators.
4. Select the Disabled option and press the Apply button after that.
5. Finally, press the OK button.
6. To make the changes take effect, exit the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.

10. Reset Windows Update Components

You need to reset the Windows update components if the software still won’t install or launch. Using a batch file will save you time and simplify the process as it eliminates the need to run several tasks.

First, download the batch file (made by a Microsoft MVP), and then open the ZIP and extract the contents. Next, carry out the subsequent actions:

1. To run the extracted batch file as an administrator, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator.
2. A window for User Account Control will open. Press the “Yes” button.
3. The window for a Command Prompt will open. Any key can be pressed to start the reset procedure.
4. Close any active applications and restart your computer when all commands have completed executing.

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11. Use System Restore

Using System Restore is the final resort for resolving this annoying problem. It won’t erase your personal files; instead, it will return your computer to a previous state when everything functioned as intended, unlike System Reset. Here’s how to do it:

1. Type rstrui into the Windows keypad and hit Enter.
2. Press the Next menu item. To apply a restore point on your PC, select one from the list and adhere to the on-screen directions.