Microsoft is planning to add a new security feature to Windows 10 in the wake of recent global ransomware attacks such as Petya and WannaCry. The next Windows 10 Fall Creators update scheduled for September will add a new feature called Controlled Folder Access, which will help users identify the apps that try to make changes to files in protected folders.
The new Controlled Folder Access feature will help keep certain files and folders away from the reach of viruses and ransomware. The feature will be a part of the Windows Defender Security Center and when enabled, will only allow certain apps to make changes to protected folders. A default list of protected folders includes – Desktop, Pictures, Documents and Movies. Microsoft says that if an app tries to make changes to these protected folders, the new Controlled Folders setting will blacklist the app and send a notification of the access attempt to users.
To recall, Microsoft had announced that it will be releasing two major updates to the Windows operating system every year. The September update will be the second major update to Windows 10 this year, and will include many new features such as App Timeline – to jump back and forth into files, apps and sites, copy and paste between connected devices from clipboard, OneDrive Files On-Demand and much more.