How-To

Improve Windows 10 Security with Exploit Protection

By Brian Burgess

Updated October 7, 2021

The Fall Creators Update includes several new security features, including Controlled Folder Access and Exploit Protection. Exploit Protection is part of Microsoft’s Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET), and it improves security by mitigating threats from untrusted or insecure apps. When it’s enabled, it allows the management and configuration of the Windows system and application exploit mitigation settings. It’s worth noting that the Exploit Protection feature is new, and as Microsoft continues with its implementation in Windows 10, the company will provide additional documentation here.

Enable Windows 10 Exploit Protection

So, until we have the complete security system implemented, starting with Insider Build 16232, you’ll be able to turn on Exploit Protection inside Windows Defender Security Center by selecting App & browser control.

Scroll down to the next page and click Exploit protection settings.

On the following page, you’ll have access to two categories. One is for System settings and one for Program settings. Under System settings, you’ll find different security settings that you can turn on or off. All of them are on by default, and if you make any changes, you should get the UAC confirmation message.

Under the Program settings section, you can customize security settings for individual apps. You can add a customized app that you want to secure or choose installed apps by viewing their executable file from the list. Once you add an app, It will appear on the list, and then you can customize its options or remove it from the list.

There are many options for individual apps and system settings that you can control. Again, they are all on by default, and unless you’re in a production environment, I recommend keeping them all on as this is still a work in progress. Once we get more information from Microsoft and see how some of the security options affect certain apps, it might be prudent to change some settings.

Do you like the extra security layers that Microsoft is adding to Windows 10? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts, or sign up for our Windows 1o Forums.