Windows 10 will now automatically protect PCs from potentially unwanted apps

Microsoft is ramping up its efforts to protect users from potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) on Windows 10. The company has announced this week that PUAs will now be blocked by default for consumers starting this month. (via Bleeping Computer)

Potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) are programs installed on computers or mobile devices that may compromise user security or privacy and consume computing resources. Previously, Windows 10 users who wanted to use the PUA blocking feature had to activate this feature on their Windows 10 PCs manually; however, going forward, it will be turned on by default for all consumers.

“In the Windows 10 May 2020 Update we added Potentially Unwanted App blocking for everyone running Windows 10, but customers who wanted to use it still had to turn it on. Starting in early August 2021 we’ll begin turning it on by default to make it easier for you to keep your systems performing at their best,” the company explained in a support document.

However, users who would like to turn off the feature will be able to do so by heading to the Windows Security setting, selecting the “App & browser control” option, and then clicking the Reputation-based protection settings. Users will also be able to choose if they want to keep blocking downloads or apps, or both.

Overall, this change can be particularly useful for people who want to keep their devices protected from unwanted third-party programs. These apps can seriously threaten user’s security or privacy, and this is probably why Microsoft is going with PUA protection enabled by default on Windows 10. Let us know in the comments below if you think that this change will help to protect your PCs from malware infections.