With ransomware and spyware on the rise, users need to stay up-to-date and vigilant to protect data from bad actors. Windows 10 comes with a number of security features to protect your computer and Windows Defender is also updated frequently with improved protection against new threats.
With Windows 10 May 2020 Update, which is the next major feature update, Microsoft is introducing a new security feature that would protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications.
Windows 10 users search the Internet for free versions of software and they often download apps with a poor reputation. Many apps with poor reputation come bundled with potentially unwanted applications (PUA) and if you run such apps, it can slow down Windows 10, inject advertisements, or even change the search engine of the browser.
Windows 10 May 2020 Update introduces new reputation-based protection feature in Windows Security app. The new security feature offers protection against potentially unwanted applications (PUA), but it’s currently not enabled by default.
Enable PUAs protection in Windows 10
To block potentially unwanted apps on Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Open Start menu and search for Settings.
- In Settings, head to Update & Security > Windows Security.
- Look for App & browser control page and open Reputation-based protection settings.
Once you turn on the feature, Windows Security app will step in and block adware, cryptocurrency miners, and other unwanted nonsense which are bundled when you download free software.
Windows Security app will also allow you to manage PUA protection and block or allow apps, downloads, or both. For Microsoft Edge users, Windows Defender will scan for PUA as it’s being downloaded in the browser.
PUA protection is also built into Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, but you need to enable it manually:
- Open Edge settings and move to the Privacy and services section.
- Scroll down to the Services and enable “Block potentially unwanted applications”.
Microsoft says that if you’ve already downloaded or installed a PUA from a different browser, Windows Security can still detect and block it for you.
