Smart App Control is back up and running on most Windows 11 systems. Microsoft has resolved the issue that, after installing the update KB5127648 released on October 13, it prevented users from re-enabling the built-in security feature. The option was gray and unselectable in the Windows Security app, effectively blocking protection on devices where it had previously been disabled.
The feature, which uses Microsoft’s code integrity and artificial intelligence services to block potentially harmful apps and binaries in synergy with SmartScreen and Defender, remained active and functioning on systems where it was already configured before the update. The problem was of specific interest Windows 11 24H2 and later versions.
The official solution and temporary workarounds
The official fix arrived on October 28 with the release of the preview update KB5127936. Microsoft has confirmed that the update fixes the bug for devices with Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2eliminating the need to apply manual workarounds. However, the company encourages you to install the latest security updates, which include this and other critical fixes.
For those who cannot or do not want to install the preview update – particularly system administrators in enterprise environments – Microsoft has provided two temporary exit routes. The first involves manually editing the system registry with two commands to be run as an administrator:
reg add “HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetPoliciesMicrosoftFeatureManagementOverrides” /v 2883193997 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
And
reg add “HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetPoliciesMicrosoftFeatureManagementOverrides” /v 2850574478 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
followed by restarting the device.
Alternatively, you can deploy dedicated Group Policy packages (KB5074105 261015_19222 And 261015_19221) for 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 versions.
The update KB5127936 also fixes other issues that have surfaced recently, including errors Remote Desktop related to the administrator protection function and the malfunctions of Always On VPN caused by the September 2026 cumulative updates. Users on Windows 11 24H2however, they will still have to rely on workarounds, awaiting a definitive solution in the next updates.
