In Microsoft Defender antivirus, there is an option “Controlled folder access” that helps protect your valuable data from malicious apps and threats, such as ransomware. By default, many system folders and default locations are protected by Microsoft Defender Controlled folder access. Microsoft does not allow you to remove these system folders but enables you to add other folders in this list you want to protect.
Adding other folders to this Controlled folder access can be useful if you don’t store files in the default Windows libraries. It also allows you to add network shares and mapped drives. Furthermore, Environment variables and wildcards are supported. Controlled folder access is handy for protecting your files and data from ransomware since only trusted apps and services can access your protected folders. Here is the list of Windows default protected folders:-
- C:\Users\<username>\Documents
- C:\Users\Public\Documents
- C:\Users\<username>\Pictures
- C:\Users\Public\Pictures
- C:\Users\Public\Videos
- C:\Users\<username>\Videos
- C:\Users\<username>\Music
- C:\Users\Public\Music
- C:\Users\<username>\Favorites
How to Add Folders to Microsoft Defender Controlled folder access in Windows 11?
To add additional folders to Microsoft Defender Controlled folder access in Windows 11, use the following steps:-
Step 1. First, click on the
Step 2. Then, click on the “Windows Security” app in the available search results to open it.
Step 3. When the Windows Security window appears on your computer, click on the
Step 4. On the right side pane, scroll down and click the
Step 5. Next, turn on
Step 6. Once you turn on “Controlled folder access,” more links will appear below. Click the
Step 7. In the following screen, click
Step 8. When you’re done, the File Explorer window will open. Select a folder you want to protect and click the
That’s all. You have successfully added your folders to the “Controlled folder access” list. Now, Windows Defender will watch all programs and applications that will try to access your protected folders.
If you want to remove a folder from the “Controlled folder access” list, repeat the steps above from 1 to 6. Then, click the folder path you want to remove from the list. Click on the