One of the more exciting features available on the Windows 10 May 2020 Update is support for blocking Potentially Unwanted Apps at the operating system level.
We actually learned about PUA blocking in the OS not too long ago.
And now we have more details on this security feature, as well as confirmation that it has officially arrived. You can enable the ability at an operating system level using an automated engine, further enhancing the security of your device.
As Microsoft explains:
“Potentially unwanted applications (PUA) are a category of software that can cause your machine to run slowly, display unexpected ads, or at worst, install other software which may be more harmful or annoying. Windows Security has reputation-based protection that can help protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications. Potentially unwanted app blocking was first introduced in Windows 10 May 2020 update.”
Potential detection of these unwanted applications has already been available in Microsoft Defender ATP and Microsoft Edge, but now it is being brought for everyone in Windows 10.
And there are several categories of software that Redmond considers to be a part of the PUA group. These include advertising and torrent programs, cryptominers, marking and evasion software, even apps that are bundled with other applications and come without a digital signature.
The feature is not enabled by default in the operating system, but you can manually activate it now.
That is to say, as long as you are running the May 2020 Update, as this capability is exclusive to this version of the OS, and no other previous version of Windows 10 comes with this ability.
