How to Manually Allow a Blocked File or App in Windows Security

Windows Security is a powerful tool that helps protect your computer from malware, viruses, and other types of malicious software. One of the features of Windows Security is its ability to block files and apps that it determines to be potentially harmful. However, sometimes Windows Security may block a file or app that is actually safe. In this article, we will show you how to manually allow a blocked file or app in Windows Security.

Why Does Windows Security Block Files and Apps?

Windows Security uses advanced algorithms and machine learning models to determine whether a file or app is safe or not. If Windows Security determines that a file or app is potentially harmful, it will block it to prevent it from causing harm to your computer. However, sometimes Windows Security may make mistakes and block a file or app that is actually safe.

How to Manually Allow a Blocked File or App

If you are sure that a file or app is safe and Windows Security has blocked it, you can manually allow it by following these steps:

Method 1: Allow a Blocked File or App through Windows Security

1. Open Windows Security: Click on the Start button and type "Windows Security" in the search bar. Click on the Windows Security app to open it.
2. Click on Virus & threat protection: Click on the "Virus & threat protection" tab.
3. Click on Protection history: Click on the "Protection history" tab.
4. Find the blocked file or app: Find the file or app that you want to allow in the list of blocked items.
5. Click on Allow: Click on the "Allow" button next to the file or app.

Method 2: Allow a Blocked File or App through File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer: Click on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar or press the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to the file or app: Navigate to the location of the file or app that you want to allow.
3. Right-click on the file or app: Right-click on the file or app and select "Properties".
4. Click on the Unblock checkbox: Click on the "Unblock" checkbox at the bottom of the Properties window.
5. Click OK: Click "OK" to save the changes.

Method 3: Add an Exclusion in Windows Security

1. Open Windows Security: Click on the Start button and type "Windows Security" in the search bar. Click on the Windows Security app to open it.
2. Click on Virus & threat protection: Click on the "Virus & threat protection" tab.
3. Click on Manage settings: Click on the "Manage settings" tab.
4. Scroll down to Exclusions: Scroll down to the "Exclusions" section.
5. Click on Add an exclusion: Click on the "Add an exclusion" button.
6. Select the file or app: Select the file or app that you want to exclude from Windows Security's scanning.
7. Click OK: Click "OK" to save the changes.

What to Do If You Are Still Having Trouble

If you are still having trouble allowing a blocked file or app, there may be other issues at play. Here are some additional troubleshooting steps you can try:

• Check for updates: Make sure that your Windows operating system and Windows Security are up to date.
• Run a virus scan: Run a virus scan to ensure that your computer is free from malware.
• Contact Microsoft support: If none of the above steps work, you may want to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

Conclusion

Windows Security is a powerful tool that helps protect your computer from malware and other types of malicious software. However, sometimes it may block files or apps that are actually safe. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can manually allow a blocked file or app in Windows Security. Remember to exercise caution when allowing files or apps, as they may potentially harm your computer.