Windows 11 has a full-fledged security tool called Windows Security. This tool protects your PC from viruses and malware and offers other security and privacy protection features.

One of the great feature of Windows Security is the Controlled Folder Access. You should keep this feature enabled all the time to safeguard your PC against various threats.

What is Controlled Folder Access?

Controlled folder access is a feature introduced with Windows 10. It protects your PC from ransomware attacks.

Controlled Folder Access is also available on Windows 11, but you must access it through the Windows Security app.

With the Controlled Folder access, you can lock folders you don’t want softwares to modify. The feature protects the Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Favorites folders by default.

Other than these folders, you also have the option to add other folders to the protected list.

How to Enable Controlled Folder Access on Windows 11?

To enable Controlled folder access on Windows 11, you must make a few changes to the Windows Security app. Here’s how to do so.

1. Launch the Windows Security app on your computer.

2. When the Windows Security app opens, switch to Virus & Threat Protection.

3. On the right side, click on Manage Settings.

4. Scroll down to the Controlled Folder Access. Then, enable the toggle for it.

This will enable Controlled Folder Access on your Windows 11 PC.

How to Manage the Blocked Files?

You can also check which files are blocked using the Controlled Folder Access feature. If you want, you can manually remove the block as well. Here’s how.

1. Navigate to the Controlled Folder Access screen.

2. Then, click on Block History.

3. Now you will find all the files that were blocked. To allow the files, click the Actions drop-down and select Allow on Device.

How to Add or Remove a Folder on Controlled Folder Access

Windows Security app protects the system folders by default. However, you can also add additional protected folders. Here’s how.

1. Navigate to the Controlled Folder Access Screen.

2. Next, click on Manage Controlled Folder Access.

3. On the next screen, click Protected Folders.

4. To add additional protected folders, click the Add a protected folder option and select the folder.

5. To remove a protected folder, select the folder and click Remove.

How to Allow Apps to Access the Protected Folders

Like the Protected Folders, the Windows Security app has an option to block or allow apps to access them. Here’s how to allow an app to access the Protected folders in Windows 11.

1. Navigate to the Controlled Folder access screen and click Manage Controlled Folder Access.

2. On the next screen, select Allow an app through controlled folder access.

3. Next, click Add an allowed app and select the one you want to allow.

This guide explains Controlled Folder Access in Windows 11 and how to use it. Let us know if you need more help with this topic in the comments. Also, if you find this guide helpful, please share it with your friends.