Has the App & Browser control option vanished from the Windows Security app? Unfortunately, the issue is much more common than you might think.

An outdated version of Windows, a damaged Windows Security app, and even corruption in the OS can be the potential reasons for this issue. If you don't know what's causing the problem, here are some working fixes that will help you restore a missing App & Browser control option.

1. Eliminate Any Temporary Bugs

Command to open App& browser control Run dialog box

The first thing you must do is to launch the Start Menu and search for the "App & Browser" control option. If the option is present, then it indicates that a temporary bug or glitch is causing the problem. You can eliminate this bug by simply restarting your computer.

2. Enable App & Browser Control Using the Registry Editor

Registry Editor is a Windows tool that lets authorized users view and edit the registry. You can use it to enable or disable different Windows features, including the App & Browser control.

To enable App & Browser control option in the Windows Security app using the Registry Editor, follow the below instructions:

Make sure to back up the Registry, as covered in our guide on how to back up the Windows Registry, before trying the below steps, as one wrong move can crash your computer.

  1. Open the Registry Editor on your computer. See how to open the Registry Editor on Windows if you need some help with this.
  2. Head towards the following location:
            HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\App and Browser protection
        
  3. In the right pane, locate and right-click on the UILockdown value and choose Delete from the context menu.
    Delete option in Registry Editor
  4. Click Yes to the confirmation box that crops up.

That's it. Restart your computer and check if the App & Browser control option becomes available in the Windows Security app.

3. Enable App & Browser Control Using the Local Group Policy Editor

Enable App & browser control in Local group policy editor

Local Group Policy Editor is a Windows utility that lets you manage parts of Windows, enforce certain policies, and automate repetitive tasks. The editor contains a policy which, if enabled, will hide the App & Browser control option from Windows Security. You will have to disable this policy to solve the problem at hand.

Here's how to do it:

  1. Open the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc in the search bar, and press Enter.
  2. In the left pane, choose Administrative Templates under Computer Configuration.
  3. Expand the Windows Components folder.
  4. Locate and click on the Windows Security folder.
  5. In the right pane, locate and double-click the App and browser protection folder.
  6. Right-click on Hide the App and browser protection area policy and choose Edit from the context menu.
  7. Select the Disabled option in the new window that crops up.
  8. Click Apply > OK to save the changes.

4. Clear the SecurityHealth Folder

Whenever you upgrade Windows, your computer creates a SecurityHealth folder, which contains the security settings of the previous Windows version. But if the content of the SecurityHealth folder gets corrupted due to any reason, you become prone to different issues, including one in the discussion.

You will have to clear the content of the SecurityHealth folder to solve the issue. Here's how:

  1. Press the Win + E hotkeys to open the File Explorer.
  2. Open the C drive, and navigate to Windows > System32.
  3. In the System32 folder, locate and open the SecurityHealth folder.
    SecurityHealth folder in File Explorer
  4. Select everything inside using Ctrl + A hotkeys and then press Shift + Delete to delete them permanently.

Restart your computer and check if the problem persists.

5. Reset the Windows Security App

Windows 11 comes with a reset option that you can use to get rid of most of the built-in app issues. The reset option restores the application to its default settings.

You can reset the Windows Security app by following the below instructions:

  1. Open the Settings menu by pressing the Win + I hotkeys.
  2. Choose Apps from the left panel.
  3. Select the Installed apps option in the following window.
  4. Locate and click on three dots next to the Windows Security app.
  5. Select Advanced options from the context menu.
  6. Scroll down and click on the Reset button. Then, click the Reset button once more to confirm your selection.
    Reset Windows Security in the Settings menu

Now, launch the Windows Security app and check if the App & Browser control option is available. If not, then use the Repair option. The repair option will repair the program installation, stopping you from getting into the struggle of registering it again.

To repair the Windows Security app, navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Here, click the three dots next to Windows Security and select Advanced options from the menu that pops up.

Next, scroll down and click the Repair button to initiate the process. Once the Windows Security app is repaired, you'll see a checkmark next to the Repair option.

6. Download the Latest Windows Update

The problem can also occur if you are using an outdated Windows version. The solution, in this case, is to download the latest Windows update.

  1. Open the Settings menu and choose Windows Update from the left panel.
  2. Click the Check for updates button.

Windows will now look for and download any available updates. You might have to restart your computer to successfully install the downloaded update.

7. Reset Your PC

Are you still facing the issue? If yes, then you are left with no option other than to try the Reset Your PC setting. It resets your computer and brings it to its initial stage, which is far better than reinstalling the whole Windows.

To get started, follow the below steps:

  1. In the Settings menu, navigate to System > Recovery.
  2. In the Recovery window, click the Reset PC button next to Reset this PC.
  3. Choose the Keep my files option in the window that crops up.
    The Reset this PC tool
  4. Then, select Local reinstall and click on Next.

That's it. Now, follow the on-screen instructions ahead, and your computer will be formatted and reinstalled in no time. The whole process is very easy, but in case of any difficulties during the reset, you can check out the complete guide on how to perform a Windows 10 Factory Reset and ensure that you're following the correct steps.

Fixing the App & Browser Control Option

App & Browser control is an important Windows Security feature that protects your computer from harmful and potentially unwanted software, files, and websites. You can access it through the Windows Security app or by searching for it in the Start menu. But if the App & Browser control option is missing in the Windows Security app, you now know how to bring it back.