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How to Enable Smart App Control on Windows 11

Apr 1, 2025

Windows 11’s Smart App Control (SAC) is an advanced security layer designed to shield users from malicious or untrusted applications. By combining artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time cloud analysis, SAC prevents potentially harmful apps from executing on your system. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to enable it correctly.

What Is Smart App Control

Smart App Control uses Microsoft's cloud-powered security infrastructure to analyze apps in real time and block suspicious software. It works in three modes:

On: Actively blocks untrusted and potentially harmful apps.
Evaluation: Monitors app behavior without blocking anything, helping Windows decide if SAC should remain enabled.
Off: SAC is disabled, and you need to reinstall Windows 11 to re-enable it.

How to Turn On Smart App Control

Here’s how to turn on Smart App Control on Windows 11:

Step 1. Open Smart App Control Settings

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

2. Navigate to Privacy & Security > Windows Security > App & Browser Control.

3. In the Windows Security, select Smart App Control Settings.

Step 2. Turn On Smart App Control

1. Select On to enable Smart App Control on your Windows.

2. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

3. Verify SAC is now set to On.
Turn On Smart App Control

Force Enable Smart App Control

If Smart App Control is Off and you don’t want to reinstall Windows 11, you can force it on by modifying the registry. This method bypasses the requirement of a clean install.

Step 1. Open Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit and press Enter.

Step 2. Navigate to Smart App Control Settings

In Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEMCurrentControlSet\Control\CI\Policy

Step 3. Modify the Key Value

In the right pane, double-click the VerifiedAndReputablePolicyState value and change its Value data:

To enable Smart App Control, set the value to 1.
To disable Smart App Control, set the value to 0.
To put SAC in Evaluation mode, set the value to 2.

Step 4. Restart Your Computer

Close Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes.

Conclusion

Smart App Control in Windows 11 offers an additional layer of security by blocking suspicious or potentially harmful applications. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can protect your system and enjoy a safer computing experience.

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