Enable Ransomware Protection in Windows 11

This post shows you how to enable and use Windows Security to protect your sensitive data from ransomware in Windows 11.

Microsoft Security has ransomware protection that users can use to help stop ransomware from taking over their sensitive files and locking them for ransom. You probably have heard or read countless news stories of big and small institutions’ data being held ransom, requiring payments to regain access to their files.

You can end that by configuring controlled folder access in Windows 11.

We recently showed you how to secure and protect your computer using Microsoft Security. You can read this post here. We mentioned that when you start Windows 11, Microsoft Security protects your machine, continually scanning for malware, viruses, and security threats in real time.

However, if you haven’t enabled controlled folder access in Windows 11, your files and folders may still be vulnerable to ransomware.

To get started with enabling controlled folder access in Windows 11, follow the steps below:

How to enable controlled folder access in Windows 11

To stop ransomware in Windows 11, you can turn on controlled folder access. To do that, follow the steps below:

Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. Everything can be done, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows from its System Settings pane.

To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it.

Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Privacy & Security, and select Windows Security on the right pane of your screen, as shown in the image below.

On the Windows Security settings pane, click on the button “Open Windows Security,” as highlighted below.

When the Windows Security app opens, click Virus & Threat Protection on the left menu items, then scroll down and click the highlighted link to “Manage ransomware protection.“

Toggle the button to the On position on the ransomware protection settings pane to enable ransomware protection.

By default, folders in your home directory are added to the protected folder’s list. Click on the Protected Folders link under Controlled folder access to view the protected folder list.

You can add more folders to the list by clicking the Add a protected folder button below.

This will help prevent these folders from being compromised and held ransom.

Sometimes, it interferes with legitimate programs and blocks access. You can look in the block history under Controlled folder access to view blocked programs and unblock legitimate programs from accessing those locations. You can also proactively allow a legitimate program to access these protected folders.

How to use OneDrive to restore folders in Windows 11

Setting up OneDrive as your backup location will also help restore the ransom folder should you fall for ransomware. Click on the link to set up OneDrive to back up your folder.

For more about setting up OneDrive backup in Windows 11, read the post below:

That should do it!

Conclusion

Enabling controlled folder access in Windows 11 is crucial in protecting sensitive data from ransomware attacks. You can significantly enhance your system’s security by following the steps outlined above. Here are the key takeaways:

• Enable Ransomware Protection: Activate controlled folder access through Windows Security to safeguard your files.
• Manage Protected Folders: Add additional folders to the protected list to ensure they are not compromised.
• Monitor Blocked Programs: Check the block history to manage access for legitimate programs that may be unintentionally blocked.
• Use OneDrive for Backup: Set up OneDrive as a backup solution to restore files in case of a ransomware attack.
• Stay Informed: Regularly update your security settings and be vigilant about potential threats.

Taking these steps will help secure your data against ransomware, giving you peace of mind while using Windows 11.