How to Block Unwanted Programs with Windows Defender?

Unwanted programs and applications can cause several issues within an unprotected system. Viruses, malware, and rootkits are some of the unwanted elements that compromise your system’s security by stealing passwords, personal information and also slows down the processing speed. Luckily, Windows Defender protects your computer against unwanted programs and applications. This article enumerates the steps to optimize the Windows Defender and keeps your system safe and secure.

How Does Windows Defender Work?

Windows Defender defends your system against unwanted programs such as malware, viruses, and potentially unwanted programs (PUAs). Once you turn On your Windows Defender, it provides a firewall, folder protection, browser control, device driver protection, and virus protection.

Activate Virus & Threat Protection

A computer virus can spread in an unprotected system and install unwanted programs to enable malicious code. Make sure that the Windows Defender Antivirus in your computer is turned on to protect against these threats. To check whether the Windows Defender is turned on or not:

• Search for the Windows Defender in the search bar of the Start menu and then select the Windows Defender from the search results.
• Inside the Windows Defender, click on the Virus & threat protection tab.
• Turn on all the protection settings- Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Automatic sample submission.

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Turn On the Windows Defender Firewall

Windows Defender also protects your computer against unwanted programs by declining connections from illegitimate sources. You can turn on your firewall easily:

• Open Windows Defender and click on the Firewall & network protection tab.
• Authenticate that Domain Network, Private Network and Public Network are turned on. Click on each of these features and turn it on.

Turning On the Browser Control

This feature helps protect your computer by warning against unrecognized browser apps and block unwanted applications from installing into your system.

• Go to the Windows Defender settings and click on App & browser control option.
• Check that all the options- Apps and files, SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, and SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps are set to Warn or Block.

Protect Your Folders with Windows Defender

Windows Defender also protects your files and folders from being accessed by unwanted programs. All you need to do is to turn on the controlled folder access to keep your files protected. Here’s how:

• Open the Windows Defender settings and click on Device Security.
• Then select Core Isolation details.
• Toggle on the Memory Integrity slider to prevent the device drivers from malicious programs.

To enable the Secure Boot feature to follow the simple steps mentioned below:

• Open Windows Defender and click on Device Security.
• Check whether the Secure Boot option is turned ON. If the setting is turned Off, then the computer BIOS settings have to be changed at Start-up.
• Open the Start menu and search for the Recovery Options.
• Click on the Recovery Options to open it.
• You will see the option of Advanced startup inside the Recovery Options. Under the advanced setup, Click on the Restart Now tab.
• Then set Secure Boot to Enabled located in the Boot, Security, or Authentication tabs.

With the above steps and instructions, you will be able to utilize the Windows Defender to the best use and protect your computer from any unwanted programs.

Source: The Soft Journals