Here's how to Turn On/Off Smart App Control in Windows 11.

Here are the steps to turn on or off Smart App Control in Windows:

Turn On Smart App Control:

1. Open the Start menu and search for "Virus & Threat Protection"

2. Click on "Virus & Threat Protection settings"

3. Under "Ransomware protection", switch "Controlled folder access" to On

4. Click "Allow an app through Controlled folder access"

5. Click "Add an allowed app" and select which apps to allow

6. Click "OK" to save changes


Turn Off Smart App Control:

1. Open the Start menu and search for "Virus & Threat Protection"

2. Click on "Virus & Threat Protection settings"

3. Under "Ransomware protection", switch "Controlled folder access" to Off

4. Click "Ok" to save changes

5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect

With Smart App Control off, all apps and processes will have full access to protected folders. Be sure to only add trusted apps to the allowed list when turning on Controlled folder access.

i. Here are some pros and cons to consider with Windows 11's Smart App Control feature:

Pros:

- Prevents untrusted apps from making changes to protected folders like Documents, Pictures, etc. This limits ransomware damage.

- Easy to enable with a single toggle switch under Virus & Threat Protection settings.

- Can customize allowed apps list to exclude only certain programs from protections.

- Automatic blocking of suspicious uncommon apps and files. Doesn't require manually configuring.

- Seamless integration with Microsoft Defender Antivirus for additional threat detection.

- Extra layer of defense along with standard antivirus protections.

Cons:

- Can cause usability issues if legitimate apps are falsely blocked from making changes.

- Allowed apps list requires manual configuration for optimal functionality. More setup work.

- Currently only available on Windows 11, not older Windows versions.

- Potential performance impact from constant folder access monitoring and scanning.

- Advanced users may find it too restrictive or redundant with third party antivirus tools.

Overall it provides a safer out-of-box experience for non-expert users. But more savvy users may want to customize configurations or use other tools.

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