Big quote: Microsoft introduced Smart App Control a few years ago, promising a new AI-based layer of security for Windows users. But now the software giant is claiming that the feature can be ...

A design flaw in Windows Smart App Control and SmartScreen that enables attackers to launch programs without triggering security warnings has been under exploitation since at least 2018.

And as of January 2025, Windows 11 can automatically start Smart App Control in an audit mode, where it monitors your usage to see if you’re a good candidate for the feature.

The feature is in preview now and should be released to the public in 2025. A second feature, Smart App Control, is designed to block malware by preventing unknown apps from running on a Windows ...