[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "how%20do%20I%20turn%20off%20smart%20app%20in%20windows%2011"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s how to turn off *Smart App Control* (SAC) in Windows 11 \u2014 plus some important warnings and recent changes you should be aware of.\n\n---\n\n## What is Smart App Control\n\nSmart App Control is a Windows 11 security feature that helps block untrusted, unknown, or potentially malicious apps *before* they launch, using Microsoft\u2019s cloud-based intelligence. It was introduced in Windows 11 version 22H2.([howtogeek.com](https://www.howtogeek.com/smart-app-control-windows-11-explained/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## How to Turn Off Smart App Control\n\nIf SAC is available on your system, here\u2019s how you can disable it:\n\n1. Press **Windows key** and type **Windows Security** \u2014 select the **Windows Security** app.([allthings.how](https://allthings.how/how-to-turn-smart-app-control-off-in-windows-11-safely/?utm_source=openai))  \n2. In Windows Security, go to **App & browser control**.([guidingtech.com](https://www.guidingtech.com/enable-or-disable-smart-app-control-in-windows-11/?utm_source=openai))  \n3. Click on **Smart App Control settings**.([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5858331/how-do-i-turn-off-smart-app?utm_source=openai))  \n4. Select **Off**.([allthings.how](https://allthings.how/how-to-turn-smart-app-control-off-in-windows-11-safely/?utm_source=openai))  \n5. When prompted, confirm the change by selecting something like \u201cYes, I\u2019m sure.\u201d You\u2019ll likely need administrative rights.([allthings.how](https://allthings.how/how-to-turn-smart-app-control-off-in-windows-11-safely/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Important Warnings\n\n- Once you turn SAC off, under many current conditions, you **can't turn it back on** unless you *reset or reinstall Windows*.([guidingtech.com](https://www.guidingtech.com/enable-or-disable-smart-app-control-in-windows-11/?utm_source=openai))  \n- If you upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, or if you didn't do a clean install of Windows 11, SAC might not even be available or able to be enabled.([howtogeek.com](https://www.howtogeek.com/smart-app-control-windows-11-explained/?utm_source=openai))  \n- Turning it off reduces security against unknown or unsigned apps. You\u2019ll still have other protections like Windows Defender & SmartScreen, but the additional layer SAC provides will be gone.([allthings.how](https://allthings.how/how-to-turn-smart-app-control-off-in-windows-11-safely/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Recent Changes\n\nMicrosoft has been testing updates that let users turn SAC off *without* needing to reinstall Windows, which was a major complaint from users who disabled it and then found they couldn\u2019t re-enable it. These changes are rolling out in preview builds (Dev/Beta channels).([windowslatest.com](https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/12/16/microsoft-confirms-you-can-soon-disable-smart-app-control-without-reinstalling-windows-11/?utm_source=openai))\n\nIf you don\u2019t see the toggle for SAC in your settings, you may not yet have those updates, or your version of Windows might not support the ability to re-enable it.([windowslatest.com](https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/12/16/microsoft-confirms-you-can-soon-disable-smart-app-control-without-reinstalling-windows-11/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you tell me your **Windows 11 version number** (you can find it by typing `winver` in Start) I can check whether your system supports re-enabling SAC once it\u2019s turned off."
    }
]