How to Allow an App Through Smart App Control?

Currently, there is no way to bypass Smart App Control protection for individual apps.

If Smart App Control is blocking an application you trust and want to run, there isn't a specific setting or list where you can simply "allow" that single app through the protection. This feature is designed as an all-or-nothing (mostly) security measure based on application reputation and digital signatures.

Based on current information, your options are limited. The reference states: "There is currently no way to bypass Smart App Control protection for individual apps."

Here are the available approaches when Smart App Control prevents an app from running:

1. Turn Smart App Control Off: This is the most direct method to allow any app to run, including the one being blocked. However, this significantly reduces your system's security posture as you lose the protection Smart App Control provides against new, untrusted, or unsigned applications.

   • Steps to Turn Off Smart App Control (Note: These steps might vary slightly depending on your Windows version):
     • Open Windows Security.
     • Go to App & browser control.
     • Find Smart App Control.
     • Select the option to turn it Off.
   • Caution: Only do this if you understand the security implications and are confident about the source of the app you wish to run.

2. Contact the App Developer: The reference suggests, "(better yet), contact the developer of the app and encourage them to sign their app with a valid signature." Smart App Control is more likely to allow apps that are digitally signed by known, reputable developers. By contacting the developer, you can encourage them to adopt this practice, which benefits all their users running Smart App Control.

In summary, you cannot create an exclusion for a specific app within Smart App Control. Your choices are to disable the feature entirely or work towards the root cause by encouraging the app developer to sign their application.