![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/www.itwriting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/image-12.png\" "\\"image\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cRansomware protection\u201d does not know anything about ransomware as such, but simply blocks access to files and folders where you are likely to store documents and data. Ransomware works by encrypting your documents and demanding money (usually in the form of bitcoin) to unlock them. Therefore blocking access prevents it from working, or at least that is the idea.<\/p>\n
I am all in favour of blocking ransomware, but unfortunately this feature may also break application installs. Worse, they tend to break in ways that do not make the problem obvious to the user.<\/p>\n
I installed Docker for Windows, for example (actually just accepted a prompt to upgrade) and it hung on the Installing\u2026 dialog. <\/p>\n
Another application complained about insufficient disk space.<\/p>\n
The problem seems to be related to application shortcuts, which are created in protected folders such as the desktop. Even though the install is running with admin rights, it cannot write these files. What happens next depends on how well the installer handles unexpected outcomes. This is not really a fatal error, but may become so.<\/p>\n
What is the solution?<\/p>\n
The obvious answer is to turn off controlled folder access before running installers for desktop applications. You can turn it back on afterwards.<\/p>\n
Microsoft may say that if we all use Store apps or the Desktop Bridge packager the problem will not occur. The issue is related to the Windows legacy of free-for-all installations and the way Microsoft has been trying for many years (with partial success) to bring it under control. Mobile operating systems tend to be better behaved because they were designed to be locked down and to isolate applications from one another and from the operating system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Three times recently I have had install failures on Windows 10, and three times have fixed them by disabling one of its security features. \u201cRansomware protection\u201d does not know anything about ransomware as such, but simply blocks access to files and folders where you are likely to store documents and data. Ransomware works by encrypting … Continue reading How Windows 10 Ransomware Protection interferes with application installs<\/span>