Windows Pro: switch Microsoft Defender to «zero tolerance» level

Si es usuario de Windows Pro, habrá notado que Microsoft Defender, el software antivirus y antimalware integrado, tiene diferentes niveles de protección. De forma predeterminada, está configurado en «alto», lo que significa que bloqueará la mayoría de las amenazas conocidas y le advertirá sobre archivos o actividades sospechosas. Sin embargo, si desea aumentar su seguridad y prevenir cualquier posible infección, puede cambiar Microsoft Defender al nivel de «tolerancia cero». Esto significa que bloqueará todo aquello en lo que Microsoft o usted no confíen explícitamente.

In this blog post, we will show you how to switch Microsoft Defender to the «zero tolerance» level and what are the benefits and disadvantages of doing so. Please note that this option is only available for Windows Pro users, not for Windows Home users.

How to switch Microsoft Defender to «zero tolerance» level

To switch Microsoft Defender to the «zero tolerance» level, you must access the Group Policy Editor, a tool that allows you to configure advanced settings for Windows. To do this, follow these steps:

– Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

– Type gpedit.msc and click OK. This will open the Group Policy Editor.

– Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus > Scan.

– Double-click the policy labeled «Configure detection of potentially unwanted applications».

– Select «On» and then choose «Lock» from the drop-down menu.

– Click Apply and OK.

– Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Microsoft Defender has now changed to the «zero tolerance» level. This means that it will block any application that is not signed by Microsoft or that you have not explicitly allowed. It will also block any file that has a low reputation score or is detected as potentially unwanted.

Benefits and disadvantages of switching Microsoft Defender to the «zero tolerance» level

Switching Microsoft Defender to the «zero tolerance» level can have some benefits and drawbacks for your security and performance. Here are some of them:

Benefits:

– You will have the highest level of protection against malware, viruses, ransomware, spyware, adware and other threats.

– You will reduce the risk of downloading or running malicious or unwanted software from unknown sources.

– It will prevent any unauthorized changes to your system configuration or files.

Disadvantages:

– You may experience some false positives, which means that Microsoft Defender may block some legitimate or harmless applications or files.

– You may have some compatibility issues with some software that is not signed by Microsoft or has a low reputation score.

– You may have to manually allow some applications or files that you trust or need to use.

How to allow an application or file blocked by Microsoft Defender

If you switch Microsoft Defender to the «zero tolerance» level, you may encounter some situations where Microsoft Defender blocks an application or file that you trust or need. In that case, you can manually allow it by following these steps:

– Open the Windows Security application by clicking on the shield icon in the taskbar or by searching for it in the Start menu.

– Click Virus and Threat Protection.

– Click on Protection History.

– Locate the application or file that Microsoft Defender blocked and click Allow.

– Confirm your choice by clicking Yes.

You have now allowed the application or file blocked by Microsoft Defender. You can repeat this process for any other applications or files you wish to allow.

Conclusion

Switching Microsoft Defender to the «zero tolerance» level can be a good option for Windows Pro users who want to increase their security and prevent any possible infections. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as false positives, compatibility issues and manual assignments. Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons before making this decision and be prepared to face some inconveniences.

We hope this blog post has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!

If you are using Windows, you already have a powerful antivirus software integrated into your system: Microsoft Defender. This tool protects your computer from malware attacks by scanning files and programs in real time. It also updates automatically with the latest virus definitions from the cloud.

However, you may not know that Microsoft Defender has many hidden features that can improve your security and give you more control over its operation. For example, you can adjust the level of cloud protection to make Defender more or less sensitive to potential threats. This can help you avoid false positives or detect more suspicious files.

To access this feature, you must open the Windows Security application from the Start menu or notification area. Then click on Virus and Threat Protection and scroll down to Manage settings under Virus and Threat Protection Settings. Here you will see a section called Cloud-delivered protection. Click the link that says Select cloud protection level and choose from one of the four options:

– Disabled: This disables cloud-based protection and reduces your security. We do not recommend this option unless you have a specific reason to do so.

– Basic: this is the default option and sends basic information about the scanned files to Microsoft to help detect and block malware.

– Enhanced: This option sends more information about the scanned files to Microsoft, such as file names, file paths and file contents. This can improve your protection and help Microsoft analyze new threats faster.

– High: This option sends the same information as Enhanced, but also blocks any files that Microsoft does not know are safe. This may prevent unknown malware from running on your system, but it may also block some legitimate files that are not yet recognized by Microsoft.

You will be able to choose the option that suits your needs and preferences. If you are not sure, you can stick with the default Basic option or try Enhanced for more security. You can always change the settings later if you encounter any problems.

Note: The best antivirus software for Windows 11

Microsoft Defender is reliable and convenient antivirus software for Windows users, but it may not be enough for everyone. If you want more features, such as ransomware protection, parental controls, VPN, firewall or password manager, you may want to consider third-party antivirus software. There are many options available on the market, but some are better than others. To help you choose the best antivirus software for Windows 11, we have reviewed and compared the best products based on performance, features, ease of use and price. You can read our detailed guide here: [enlace a la publicación del blog]