How To Block Potentially Unwanted Program On Windows 10 Using Windows Defender

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Windows Defender Antivirus protects your device and files against viruses, spyware, rootkits, ransomware, and other types of malware.

Windows Defender is considered to be a very reliable security shield and comes with PUA(Potential Unwanted Application) to block unwanted apps that are not categorized as the threat and can infect your system.

How To Block Potentially Unwanted Program On Windows 10 Using Windows Defender.

PUA provides an extra layer of security to your computer, Here are the steps to enable PUA protection.

1. Open Start.
2. Search Windows PowerShell, right click on the result and select Run as Administrator.
3. Type Set -MpPreference -PUAProtection 1 to enable PUA and press Enter.

Above steps are to enable PUA, one you have completed all of the steps, Windows Defender will detect and block suspicious applications.

If you want to check to the functionality or want to make sure that the PUA has been enabled, Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Official PUA Page. 
2. Under the Scenario click on the link.
3. Download the Potential Unwanted Application Test File.

This file will be downloaded and if the feature has been enabled correctly Windows Defender will automatically block and stop the app from running on your system.

You can check the threat history by:

1. Start.
2. Search and open Windows defender Security Center.
3. Click on Virus and threat protection.
4. Click on threat history.

You can check the full blocked app list and if you think there is some mistake or Defender has blocked some of the trusted apps than you can restore it by just clicking on the app and click on Restore button.

After that, the application will be restored to its original location.

You can revert changes anytime by:

1. Open Start.
2. Search Windows PowerShell, right click on the result and select Run as Administrator.
3. Type Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection 0 to disable PUA and press Enter.