How to Enable Controlled Folder Access in Windows 11?

!Starting with Windows 10 build 16232, Microsoft Defender introduced Controlled Folder Access to safeguard important files from ransomware and other threats.

This feature monitors which apps can modify files in protected folders.

While users can’t modify the default protected folders (like Documents, Pictures, Movies, and Desktop), they can add additional folders for extra security—especially useful if files are stored outside standard Windows libraries.

In this article, we will explain how to enable or disable Controlled Folder Access in Microsoft Defender.

To turn Controlled Folder Access On or Off in Windows Security, just follow the next steps:

First, open the Windows Security menu. You can find it by typing Windows Security in Start Search Bar. Then click on the Virus & threat protection icon.
In the window that opens, click on Manage ransomware protection in the Ransomware protection area.
Turn Controlled folder access On or Off depending on your preferncies.