One of these has to do with security. It is a special function to protect your ransomware files by controlling access to folders. The detail is that it is not activated by default , so if you are interested in enjoying it, we will show you how to use it.

Following these steps you can activate the protection against ransomware of Windows 10. This means that from now Windows Defender will monitor the changes that any application tries to make in your protected folders.

Since ransomware attacks usually take over the user’s files and demand a ransom to free them, with this extra layer of security, Windows Defender completely blocks access to files to untrusted software, just to avoid a hijacking.

Enable protection against ransomware in Windows 10

Press the start button, type ” Security Center ” and choose the first result.

Then, in the window of the Security Center of Windows Defender click on Virus protection and against threats, that is, the icon in the form of a shield on the left.

The next thing is to click on the option Antivirus configuration and protection against threats.

Make scroll until you find the option Controls access to the folder and check the box Enabled. This will show a confirmation window to allow Windows Defender to change the configuration. Tell him yes and that’s it.

From now on, if an app tries to change your protected files, the app will be blacklisted and Windows will inform you. By default, the protected folders are: Documents, Images, Videos, Music, Desktop and Favorites. You can also add more.

Add protected folders

If you click on protected folders under the activated button in the previous menu, you will see the list of folders (and their route) that are currently being protected by Windows Defender.

By clicking on the + button to add a protected folder you can select any folder on your disk or storage discs. Of course, you must do it one by one.

Allow access to a trusted app

Controlled access will be allowed to most apps without you having to manually add them , if the app has been verified by Microsoft as apt, then most likely you do not have to manually access it.

For example, you do not have to worry suddenly about having to add Dropbox or Photoshop to the list of apps that can access your documents and images. They will continue to have controlled access.

If there are applications that you trust and that you want to allow access to your files within the protected folders, you can add exceptions to the ransomware protection.

Also if you have an app that controlled access has added to the blacklist and you want to remove it from there, you can unlock it from here.

You only have to click on Allow an application to access one of the controlled folders and then select the application from your software list.