GoKawiilWindows October update breaks Smart App Control toggle, Microsoft offers Registry fix
Microsoft's October 13 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 introduced a bug that disables the Smart App Control security feature and prevents users from turning it back on through normal settings. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and published a Registry workaround involving two new keys while it prepares an official fix.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Smart App Control is one of Windows 11's stronger defenses against emerging malware, so a bug that silently disables it could leave some systems more exposed until patched. The reliance on a manual Registry edit as a stopgap suggests the issue may affect a meaningful number of users before Microsoft ships a permanent fix.
- The October Patch Tuesday update disables Smart App Control and blocks re-enabling it.
- Microsoft has confirmed the bug and is preparing a future fix.
- Users can temporarily resolve it by adding two keys to the Windows Registry via an admin command prompt.
Microsoft Windows 11 Pro USB — If Patch Tuesday bugs like this one have you nervous about system stability, having a genuine Windows 11 installation drive on hand makes it easy to do a clean install or repair if an update ever goes sideways. It's a handy safety net for troubleshooting security feature glitches like the Smart App Control bug described in this article.
See Microsoft Windows 11 Pro USB on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: zdnet.com — Lance Whitney, 2026-10-20
Published there as: “Latest Windows update disables key security setting – but there’s a workaround”
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