How to Fix “This App Has Been Blocked for Your Protection” on Windows 11

Quick Fixes

• Right-click the app/file and select Properties. Enable the Unblock checkmark under the General tab, and click OK.
• Disable Windows Defender SmartScreen on Windows 11 from Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings.

Basic Fixes

• Run the app as an administrator: Right-click the app and select ‘Run as administrator’ from the context menu to launch the app with administrative permissions.
• Temporarily disable Windows Security: Press the Windows key, search Windows Security, and click to open it. Select ‘Virus & threat protection’ from the left sidebar, click Manage settings under ‘Virus & threat protection settings’, and toggle off Real-time protection.
• Update or reinstall the app: Update the app from the Microsoft Store or its installer file. Alternatively, uninstall the app from Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps, and install it afresh.
• Perform a clean boot: Clean boot your Windows 11 system and retry opening the app.

Fix 1: Unblock the App Manually

Did you move files from another computer or external storage? Windows may block opening such files to protect your computer showing the ‘This app has been blocked for your protection ‘ message. Unblock it manually from the app/file properties to access it.

Step 1: Right-click your desired file/app and select Properties from its context menu.

Step 2: Enable the Unblock checkmark under the General tab and click OK.

Fix 2: Launch the App From the Command Prompt

If you’re unable to open a specific app on Windows, use Command Prompt to launch it.

Step 1: Right-click the app shortcut you can’t launch and select Properties.

Step 2: Copy the target destination path.

Step 3: Press the Windows key, search Command Prompt, and click Run as administrator.

Step 4: Paste the copied destination path in the console and press Enter to launch the app.

Fix 3: Disable Windows Defender SmartScreen

SmartScreen is a Windows Security feature that protects your PC against malicious apps, files, and websites by checking them against a Microsoft database. If it incorrectly blocked the app you’re trying to access, disable the SmartScreen feature temporarily and retry opening it.

Step 1: Press the Windows key, search Windows Security, and click to open it.

Step 2: Select App & browser control from the left sidebar, and click Reputation-based protection settings.

Step 3: Toggle off Potentially unwanted app blocking and SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps.

Fix 4: Disable User Account Control Temporarily

Besides SmartScreen, the User Account Control on Windows 11 may block an app to protect your OS from unauthorized changes. Tweak the Windows registry to disable the User Account Control (UAC) temporarily and unblock the application.

Step 1: Open the Run dialog using the Windows + R shortcut, type regedit, and press Enter.

Step 2: Approve the UAC prompt, paste the below path in the navigation bar and press Enter.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Step 3: Double-click EnableLUA, set its Value data to 0, and click OK to save changes. Reopen your desired app to run it.

Fix 5: Perform a System Restore

Lastly, if the issue persists, restore the system to its previous settings to fix the ‘This app has been blocked for your protection’ error on Windows 11.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R shortcut to open the Run dialog, type rstrui, and press Enter.

Step 2: Pick a relevant restore point, click Next, and follow the on-screen instructions to revert your computer to its previous state.