How to configure protected folders for controlled folder access in Windows 10. Configuring controlled folder access in your Windows 10 system helps safeguard important directories from unauthorized changes by untrusted applications or ransomware. As such sensitive files, like documents, downloads, and project directories remain secure at all times. In this video, we'll outline how to configure protected folders for controlled folder access in Windows 10. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to Ninja One's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. What is controlled folder access? Controlled folder access is a Windows 10 feature that creates a protective barrier around selected folders, allowing only trusted apps to modify files. It blocks and alerts users to suspicious activity, complimenting antivirus firewall and encryption tools by preventing real-time file tampering and malware attacks. While tools like BitLocker encrypt data at rest controlled folder access prevents unauthorized file modifications in real time to defend against ransomware and malware attacks. How to configure controlled folder access before setting up controlled folder access, ensure that Windows security is enabled and up to date to provide the latest protection. You'll also need administrator privileges to activate and configure the feature properly. First, enable controlled folder access to store sensitive data. With these steps, open the start menu and search for Windows security, click virus, and threat protection. From the list of options, scroll down to ransomware protection, then select manage ransomware protection. Toggle the switch to turn on controlled folder access. The next step is to designate which folders will have access protection in the controlled folder. Access settings. Click protected folders, select add a protected folder. Then navigate to and select the directory you wanna secure. Repeat this step for any additional folders with sensitive data. Lastly, go through your apps and decide which ones can access these protected folders. Follow these steps in the controlled folder access settings. Click allow an app through controlled folder access. Browse to the application's executable file and select it. Confirm your choice to ensure that only trusted software is granted access. As with any system process, you may encounter issues when trying to configure folder access in Windows 10. Here are some of the most common legitimate applications being blocked, protected folders, not updating automatically frequent notifications about blocked activity, difficulty adding a protected folder, false positives for malware detection. Our blog goes into each of these issues in detail and how to fix them, so be sure to check it out after this video controlled folder. Access offers enhanced protection against ransomware and unauthorized changes, helping preserve the integrity of important files, like financial records, legal documents, and project data. For more information, check out our official blog post on how to configure protected folders for controlled folder access and windows linked in the description below.