Policy
Configure detection for potentially unwanted applications
Microsoft Windows
Policy overview
Key metadata and intent for this policy.
Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, WindowsServer2016
Enable or disable detection for potentially unwanted applications. You can choose to block, audit, or allow when potentially unwanted software is being downloaded or attempts to install itself on your computer. Enabled: Specify the mode in the Options section: -Block: Potentially unwanted software will be blocked. -Audit Mode: Potentially unwanted software will not be blocked, however if this feature would have blocked access if it were set to Block, then a record of the event will be in the event logs. Disabled: Potentially unwanted software will not be blocked. Not configured: Same as Disabled.
Registry values
How enabled and disabled states update the registry.
No explicit registry values are set for enabled or disabled states.
Policy elements
Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.
| Scope | Element | Type | Registry mapping | Constraints & behavior | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | Configure detection for potentially unwanted applications ID Root_PUAProtection | enum | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Value name PUAProtection Type REG_DWORD | Options: Disable (Default) (0), Block (1), Audit Mode (2) |