Enable controlled folder access (microsoft)

Controlled folder access helps you protect valuable data from malicious apps and threats, such as ransomware. Controlled folder access is included with Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2019. Controlled folder access is also included as part of the modern, unified solution for Windows Server 2012R2 and 2016.

You can enable controlled folder access by using any of these methods:

• Windows Security app *
• Microsoft Endpoint Manager
• Mobile Device Management (MDM)
• Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager
• Group Policy
• PowerShell

Audit mode allows you to test how the feature would work (and review events) without impacting the normal use of the device.

Group Policy settings that disable local administrator list merging will override controlled folder access settings. They also override protected folders and allowed apps set by the local administrator through controlled folder access. These policies include:

• Microsoft Defender Antivirus Configure local administrator merge behavior for lists
• System Center Endpoint Protection Allow users to add exclusions and overrides

For more information about disabling local list merging, see Prevent or allow users to locally modify Microsoft Defender AV policy settings.

Windows Security app

1. Open the Windows Security app by selecting the shield icon in the task bar. You can also search the start menu for Windows Security.
2. Select the Virus & threat protection tile (or the shield icon on the left menu bar) and then select Ransomware protection.
3. Set the switch for Controlled folder access to On.

Endpoint Manager

1. Sign in to the Endpoint Manager and open Endpoint Security.
2. Go to Attack Surface Reduction > Policy.
3. Select Platform, choose Windows 10 and later, and select the profile Attack Surface Reduction rules > Create.
4. Name the policy and add a description. Select Next.
5. Scroll down to the bottom, select the Enable Folder Protection drop-down, and choose Enable.
6. Select List of additional folders that need to be protected and add the folders that need to be protected.
7. Select List of apps that have access to protected folders and add the apps that have access to protected folders.
8. Select Exclude files and paths from attack surface reduction rules and add the files and paths that need to be excluded from attack surface reduction rules.
9. Select the profile Assignments, assign to All Users & All Devices, and select Save.
10. Select Next to save each open blade and then Create.

     Note

    Wildcards are supported for applications, but not for folders. Subfolders are not protected. Allowed apps will continue to trigger events until they are restarted.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Use the ./Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ControlledFolderAccessProtectedFolders configuration service provider (CSP) to allow apps to make changes to protected folders.

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

1. In Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, go to Assets and Compliance > Endpoint Protection > Windows Defender Exploit Guard.
2. Select Home > Create Exploit Guard Policy.
3. Enter a name and a description, select Controlled folder access, and select Next.
4. Choose whether block or audit changes, allow other apps, or add other folders, and select Next.

    Note

   Wildcard is supported for applications, but not for folders. Subfolders are not protected. Allowed apps will continue to trigger events until they are restarted.

5. Review the settings and select Next to create the policy.
6. After the policy is created, Close.

Group Policy

1. On your Group Policy management device, open the Group Policy Management Console, right-click the Group Policy Object you want to configure and select Edit.
2. In the Group Policy Management Editor, go to Computer configuration and select Administrative templates.
3. Expand the tree to Windows components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus > Windows Defender Exploit Guard > Controlled folder access.
4. Double-click the Configure Controlled folder access setting and set the option to Enabled. In the options section you must specify one of the following options:
   • Enable – Malicious and suspicious apps won’t be allowed to make changes to files in protected folders. A notification will be provided in the Windows event log.
   • Disable (Default) – The Controlled folder access feature won’t work. All apps can make changes to files in protected folders.
   • Audit Mode – Changes will be allowed if a malicious or suspicious app attempts to make a change to a file in a protected folder. However, it will be recorded in the Windows event log where you can assess the impact on your organization.
   • Block disk modification only – Attempts by untrusted apps to write to disk sectors will be logged in Windows Event log. These logs can be found in Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Defender > Operational > ID 1123.
   • Audit disk modification only – Only attempts to write to protected disk sectors will be recorded in the Windows event log (under Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Defender > Operational > ID 1124). Attempts to modify or delete files in protected folders won’t be recorded.

     

PowerShell

1. Type powershell in the Start menu, right-click Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
2. Enter the following cmdlet:
   PowerShellCopy

   Set-MpPreference -EnableControlledFolderAccess Enabled
   

You can enable the feature in audit mode by specifying AuditMode instead of Enabled.

Use Disabled to turn off the feature.

Source : Official Microsoft Brand
Editor by : BEST Antivirus KBS Team