Protect important folders with controlled folder access

[admin]

Controlled folder access helps you protect valuable data from malicious apps and threats, such as ransomware. It protects your data by checking against a list of known, trusted apps. Controlled folder access is supported on Windows Server 2019 as well as Windows 10 clients. It can be turned on via the Windows Security App, or from the Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager and Intune, for managed devices. Controlled folder access works best with Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection, which gives you detailed reporting into controlled folder access events and blocks as part of the usual alert investigation scenarios.

Controlled folder access works by only allowing apps to access protected folders if the app is included on a list of trusted software. If an app isn't on the list, Controlled folder access will block it from making changes to files inside protected folders.

Apps are added to the trusted list based upon their prevalence and reputation. Apps that are highly prevalent throughout your organization, and that have never displayed any malicious behavior, are deemed trustworthy and automatically added to the list.

Apps can also be manually added to the trusted list via Configuration Manager and Intune. Additional actions, such as adding a file indicator for the app, can be performed from the Security Center Console.

Controlled folder access is especially useful in helping to protect your documents and information from ransomware that can attempt to encrypt your files and hold them hostage.

With Controlled folder access in place, a notification will appear on the computer where the app attempted to make changes to a protected folder. You can customize the notification with your company details and contact information. You can also enable the rules individually to customize what techniques the feature monitors.

The protected folders include common system folders, and you can add additional folders. You can also allow or whitelist apps to give them access to the protected folders.

You can use audit mode to evaluate how controlled folder access would impact your organization if it were enabled. You can also visit the Windows Defender Testground website at demo.wd.microsoft.com to confirm the feature is working and see how it works.

Controlled folder access is supported on Windows 10, version 1709 and later and Windows Server 2019.