Security
Windows 11 Smart App Control: A Short Practical Guide
Written by Windows 11 Field Guide Editorial Team · Updated
This page is a short, practical checklist for windows 11 smart app control on Windows 11 (versions 24H2 and 25H2). It covers the steps that apply in most cases and points you to our in-depth guides. For the full picture, start with our Windows 11 security guide.
The Windows Security app
Open Windows Security from Start or from Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security. Its dashboard covers virus and threat protection (Microsoft Defender Antivirus), firewall and network protection, app and browser control (SmartScreen), and device security (Core isolation, security processor, Secure Boot). A green tick on each area means it is on and up to date.
A baseline worth keeping
- Keep Windows Update on and restart when asked.
- Leave Microsoft Defender Antivirus and the firewall on unless another security product replaces them.
- Use Windows Hello (PIN, face or fingerprint) instead of a password where you can.
- Turn on device encryption or BitLocker and keep the recovery key somewhere safe.
- Use a standard account for everyday work on shared PCs.
Warning signs
Unexpected pop-ups that claim your PC is infected and give a phone number are scams. Neither Microsoft nor this site will call you or ask you to call about a virus. Close the browser tab with Task Manager if it will not close, and run a full scan in Windows Security.
Related guides
This page is a short checklist and has not yet been expanded into a full guide. Steps follow current Windows 11 menus; if your screens differ, check your version with the winver command.
Sources
Windows 11 Field Guide Editorial Team
Editorial team
The Windows 11 Field Guide team writes and updates independent Windows 11 guides and checks each step against Microsoft's documentation and the current Settings app.
