There is a category of software known as potentially unwanted applications (PUA) and you will find out here how to auto-stop them to protect your Windows 10 PC. Microsoft describes these apps as those that makes your PC run slowly, show unexpected ads and even install other dangerous or unnecessary software.
Likely, you will not want these kinds of application or software on your Windows 10 PC. However, if you are not an expert, it may be difficult for you to identify potentially unwanted applications. Even reading their information may not be helpful as some developers hide these details beneath lots of other stuff.
Fortunately, you don’t have to turn on your inner Sherlock Holmes to stop these apps in their tracks. “Windows Security has reputation-based protection that can help protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications,” Microsoft wrote.
In May 2020 the company released a blocking feature for harmful PC apps in its Windows 10 update. Sadly, it stays off by default and needs users to turn it on themselves.
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To turn on the auto-stop feature for unwanted applications on your Windows 10 PC, do the following:
- Go to Start
- Settings
- Update & Security
- Windows Security
- App & browser control
- Reputation-based protection settings
When you open this, you will get two options: ‘Block apps’ and ‘Block downloads’. Block apps will detect PUA that you’ve already downloaded or installed, so if you’re using a different browser Windows Security can still detect PUA after you’ve downloaded it. While, Block downloads detects PUA as it’s being downloaded; this only works with the new Microsoft Edge browser.
Additionally, when Windows Security finds a potentially unwanted app on your PC, it notifies you. Then, to take action, here is what you should do:
- Click on the notification (this takes you to the Virus & threat protection area of Windows Security)
- Click on the name of the PUA to select the action to take
If you don’t take action, Windows Security will only auto-stop the harmful app by blocking it on your PC. Yet, the app will still be there. If you don’t find this new feature on your Windows 10 PC, update it first.
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