What Is Smart App Control On Windows 11, And Should You Turn It On Or Off?

Windows 11 gives you some of the best security tools Microsoft has ever had. And with the 22H2 update comes Smart App Control, which lets you protect your computer from malicious apps and software.

What is Intelligent Application Management?

Smart App Control (SAC) comes with the 22H2 update for Windows 11. This is a security filter designed to block malicious apps or programs that can harm your computer. It can also help you avoid potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that can slow things down.

When SAC is running on your computer, every application or software you use is scanned by the cloud-based security service. If the software passes the tests and is deemed safe, it will work as expected. Any software that crashes will not work.

One of the things it looks for is unsigned apps. All Windows-based applications must be "signed" with a digital certificate before being released for use. If the software has been modified by a third party, it will not be signed by the software developer after initial release.

Smart App Control does not replace your antivirus program. Instead, it works with Microsoft Defender or third-party AV software to add an extra layer of protection. It should run silently and unobtrusively in the background, unless it's running in the app in question.

How to enable smart app control

Smart App Control is only available on new installations of Windows 11. If you upgraded to version 22H2 from a previous version, it will not be available.

The only way to achieve this is to repair or completely reinstall Windows 11.

To check if SAC is available to you, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security . Click on the " Turn on Windows Security " button.
Select the " Applications and browser control " section of the security program and click Smart application control settings .
If this feature is available to you, it should be in evaluation mode with the option to enable or disable it.
Click on one of these options or leave it in sorted mode. Learn more about trial mode below.

Why is Smart Application Control in "test mode"?

A security feature is in evaluation mode for some time after it is added to Windows Security. This time is used to track how you use Windows to determine if Smart App Control is required. It also checks whether this feature affects your computer's daily use and performance.

If Windows thinks Smart App Control is useful for you, this feature will be enabled automatically. If it decides otherwise, it disconnects.

After the trial period ends or if you turn this feature on or off, you can't switch back to trial mode until you reinstall Windows.

Should Smart App Control be enabled or disabled?

Microsoft recommends that you exit SAC to complete the evaluation and disable or enable it based on your usage. However, if you feel that you don't need this feature or you find that it takes too many resources when checking RAM, GPU and CPU usage in Windows, you can disable it.

Remember that turning off Smart App Control is a permanent step. Well, forever, unless you reinstall Windows on your computer. You can always turn this feature off later, so it's probably a good idea to let the trial run out and then decide when it ends.

Understand the management of Windows 11 smart apps

Windows security and the tools within it just keep getting better. These ready-made and powerful tools can now protect you and your computer from malicious or untrusted programs. Even if you use third-party antivirus services like Malwarebytes or Norton Antivirus.