Block Potentially Unwanted Apps For Downloads in Microsoft Edge

How To Block Potentially Unwanted Apps For Downloads in Microsoft Edge

A new feature has become available in Microsoft Edge Chromium so it can check files you download against the list of potentially unwanted apps. It utilizes Windows Defender to check the files. Here's how you can enable it.

Potential Unwanted Application (PUA) usually refers to unwanted application bundlers or their bundled applications. These applications can increase the risk of your device being infected with malware, and can waste your time cleaning up the applications. Typical examples of behavior that is considered unwanted include ad-injection, many types of software bundling, and persistent solicitation for payment for services based on fraudulent claims.

Windows Defender comes with built-in protection against such apps.

Starting with build 79.0.280.0 Microsoft Edge Chromium can team up with Windows Defender and protect you from downloading PUAs. The option can be enabled in the browser's settings under Privacy and Security.

To Block Potentially Unwanted Apps For Downloads in Microsoft Edge,

1. Update your Microsoft Edge to the latest version (see below).
2. Click on the menu button with three dots.
3. Click on the Settings item.
4. On the left, click on Privacy and services.
5. On the right, turn on the option Block potentially unwanted apps.

You are done.

Note: Due to Controlled Feature Roll-outs, your Edge app may not include the appropriate option in its settings. In that case, you can force make it visible via a flag.

Enable Block Potentially Unwanted Apps Option in Edge Settings

1. Type edge://flags/#edge-smartscreen-pua into the address bar and hit the Enter key.
2. Select Enabled from the drop down menu next to the flag name.
3. Restart the browser when prompted.

As you may already know, Microsoft is currently using three channels to deliver updates to Edge Insiders. The Canary channel receives updates daily (except Saturday and Sunday), the Dev channel is getting updates weekly, and the Beta channel is updated every 6 weeks. The stable channel is also on its way to users.

Actual Microsoft Edge Versions

The actual pre-release versions of Edge Chromium at the moment of this writing are as follows:

• Beta Channel: 77.0.235.27
• Dev Channel: 78.0.276.2 (see what's new)
• Canary Channel: 79.0.283.0

I have covered many Edge tricks and features in the following post:

Hands-on with the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge

Also, see the following updates.

• Global Media Controls in Microsoft Edge Receive a Dismiss Button
• Microsoft Edge: New AutoPlay Blocking Options, Updated Tracking Prevention
• Turn Off News Feed on New Tab Page in Microsoft Edge
• Enable Extensions Menu Button in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Remove Feedback Smiley Button in Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Edge Will No Longer Support ePub
• Latest Microsoft Edge Canary Features Tab Hover Cards
• Microsoft Edge Now De-Elevates Itself Automatically
• Microsoft Details Edge Chromium Roadmap
• Microsoft Enables Global Media Controls in Microsoft Edge
• How to Use Cloud Powered Voices in Microsoft Edge Chormium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Never Translate, Prepopulate Find with Text Selection
• Enable Caret Browsing in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Enable IE Mode in Chromium Edge
• Stable Update Channel Made its First Appearance for Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Receives an Updated Password Reveal Button
• What are Controlled Feature Roll-outs in Microsoft Edge
• Edge Canary Adds New InPrivate Text Badge, New Sync Options
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Clear Browsing Data on Exit
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Now Allows Switching Theme
• Microsoft Edge: Support for Windows Spell Checker in Chromium Engine
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Prepopulate Find with Text Selection
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Gets Tracking Prevention Settings
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Change Display Language
• Group Policy Templates for Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium: Pin Sites To Taskbar, IE Mode
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Will Allow Uninstalling PWAs as Desktop Apps
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Includes YouTube Video Info in Volume Control OSD
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Canary Features Dark Mode Improvements
• Show Icon Only for Bookmark in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Autoplay Video Blocker is coming to Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium is Receiving New Tab Page Customization Options
• Enable Microsoft Search in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Grammar Tools Are Now Available in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Now Follows System Dark Theme
• Here’s how Microsoft Edge Chromium looks on macOS
• Microsoft Edge Chromium now installs PWAs in the root of the Start menu
• Enable Translator in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Dynamically Changes Its User Agent
• Microsoft Edge Chromium Warns When Running as Administrator
• Change Search Engine In Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Hide or Show Favorites Bar in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Install Chrome Extensions in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Chrome Features Removed and Replaced by Microsoft in Edge
• Microsoft Released Chromium-based Edge Preview Versions
• Chromium-Based Edge to Support 4K and HD Video Streams
• Microsoft Edge Insider extension now available in Microsoft Store
• Hands-on with the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Edge Insider Addons Page Revealed
• Microsoft Translator is Now Integrated with Microsoft Edge Chromium

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