Data: 1 – enables PUA protection | 0 – disables protection.This PowerShell command adds a registry value to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Run the following command and press ENTER: Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection 1 Start PowerShell (powershell.exe) as administrator. Method 1: Enable PUA Protection Using PowerShell
It’s advisable to use only one of the following methods to avoid confusion. The registry location is different in each method described. There are three different ways to enable PUA protection in Windows Defender, but I’m unsure which setting takes precedence in the event of a conflict. Now, here is how to enable scanning and removal of adware, PUP/PUA using Windows Defender (in Windows 8 and higher). You can enable/disable the option using GUI.įor earlier versions of Windows, follow the procedure below to enable the scanning of PUAs.
Also, you have the option Potentially unwanted app blocking in the Windows Defender Security settings page. In Windand higher, Windows Defender scans for PUAs by default.
