How to allow blocked file or app on Microsoft Defender Antivirus

If Microsoft Defender Antivirus detected a trusted file or app as a threat, you can allow it on your device with these steps:

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@Pureinfotech
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Microsoft Defender Antivirus allow blocked threat
Microsoft Defender Antivirus allow blocked threat

On Windows 11 (or 10), Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the default anti-malware solution to protect your computer and data against all sorts of threats, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, rootkits, and other types of malware and hackers.

Although the antivirus offers robust real-time protection at the level of most sophisticated anti-malware solutions, sometimes, it can detect some files and applications as threats when you know they are not. However, if this ever happens, the default protection built into Windows 10 (and 11) includes an option to review and allow the file or application on your device. 

This guide will teach you the steps to allow a file or app recently blocked by Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 11. In addition, we’ll look at the steps to block allowed items if you need to revert the changes.

Warning: Allowing items flagged as threats by the antivirus can potentially harm your computer and files. It is assumed you know what you are doing and have previously created a system backup.

Allow blocked files or apps on Microsoft Defender Antivirus

To allow an item that Microsoft Defender has blocked, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Security.

  2. Click on Virus & threat protection.

  3. Under the “Current threats” section, click the Protection history option.

    Protection history option

  4. Select the file or application you want to allow.

    Quick note: Read the details and understand why the antivirus blocked the item before allowing it on your device.

  5. Click the “Actions” drop-down menu and select the “Allow” or “Allow on device” option.

    Allow blocked app

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will allow the item on your computer.

Block manually allowed files or apps on Microsoft Defender Antivirus 

To block a file or application you allowed manually, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Security.

  2. Click on Virus & threat protection.

  3. Under the “Current threats” section, click the Allowed threats option.

    Allowed threats option

  4. Select the file or application you want to block.

  5. Click the “Don’t allow” button.

    Blocked allowed threat

After you complete the steps, the item will no longer be allowed on Windows 11 (or 10).

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].