Solved How to run Winaero Tweaker when MS Defender is preventing you to do so.

Edwin · Feb 10, 2026

cheaterslick said:
What about using the portable version? Does Windows block that as well?

Yes.

Edwin · Feb 10, 2026

Blocks one, doesn't block the other. They're virtually identical!
Silly games! :facepalm:

Josey Wales · Feb 10, 2026

Well I turned on my machine and then received all kinds of security updates, restarted my machine and got nothing but a black screen. So I hit the power button, turn it back on and Winaero would not start so I re installed NVIDIA 591.74 after the reboot I reinstalled Winaero 1.64.1 and I am staying with it. I have never had this kind of an issue with any app. MS is a piece of work.

FrancoDT · Feb 10, 2026

I'm thinking new Microsoft Security/Defender updates are suddenly getting more stringent with 3rd party apps. My Photoscape X which hasn't been updated in ages is suddenly triggering potential unwanted app alerts and I had to make an exception to allow it now.

LesFerch · Feb 10, 2026

antspants said:
Starting with signature version 1.443.1000.0, Defender no longer flags Winaero Tweaker.

It's strange the developer posted that when it's clearly not correct and there's been no update since then.

I assume the developer must have submitted a false positive report to the Defender team, but he should keep resubmitting until the problem is resolved. I went ahead and submitted a report myself today. Let's see if it makes any difference. BTW, anyone can submit a report. Here's the link:

Submit a file for malware analysis - Microsoft Security Intelligence

Submit suspected malware or incorrectly detected files for analysis. Submitted files will be added to or removed from antimalware definitions based on the analysis results.

www.microsoft.com

Josey Wales · Feb 14, 2026

KB2267602 (Version 1.445.49.0) - Current Channel (Broad)

I am now on the above? I think I will try it again.

It works but I used Compt 8 anyway.

OAT · Feb 14, 2026

Josey Wales said:
KB2267602 (Version 1.445.49.0) - Current Channel (Broad)

I am now on the above? I think I will try it again.

It works but I used Compt 8 anyway.

In truth, I have not tried modifying anything since exempting the Winaero Tweaker folder from scans.
Eventually, the flag will be removed.

cheaterslick · Feb 14, 2026

I installed the latest version on my brother's laptop last night and again it wouldn't run unless I ticked the compatibility mode box to Windows 8 and then the Run as an administrator box down below it. I turned UAC off and I never had to add any exceptions to Defender.

I guess my settings are somehow different from you all.

OAT · Feb 15, 2026

cheaterslick said:
I guess my settings are somehow different from you all.

Or maybe some of us don't want to use compatibility mode.

Whatever works for you.

cheaterslick · Feb 15, 2026

OAT said:
Or maybe some of us don't want to use compatibility mode.
Whatever works for you.

Could be, but I find it's a good workaround. For now, anyway...

Edwin · Feb 15, 2026

Lemme ask ya this:
Do you guys open, or, try to open WinaeroTweaker every day, or what!?!?!?
I set my tweaks then close the program for months!!!

LesFerch · Feb 15, 2026

Edwin said:
Lemme ask ya this:
Do you guys open, or, try to open WinaeroTweaker every day, or what!?!?!?
I set my tweaks then close the program for months!!!

For me, it was just a curiosity. I don't even use WT.

HeavyHemi · Feb 15, 2026

Edwin said:
Lemme ask ya this:
Do you guys open, or, try to open WinaeroTweaker every day, or what!?!?!?
I set my tweaks then close the program for months!!!

The only thing I use it for is to change the system font weight to semi bold. Makes things a little bit easier on the eyes at 4K.

HeavyHemi · Feb 15, 2026

cheaterslick said:
I installed the latest version on my brother's laptop last night and again it wouldn't run unless I ticked the compatibility mode box to Windows 8 and then the Run as an administrator box down below it. I turned UAC off and I never had to add any exceptions to Defender.

View attachment 163344

I guess my settings are somehow different from you all.

You don't have to do anything in Defender if you run in Win 8 compatibility mode. I don't have to run it as admin.

FrancoDT · Feb 15, 2026

Edwin said:
Lemme ask ya this:
Do you guys open, or, try to open WinaeroTweaker every day, or what!?!?!?
I set my tweaks then close the program for months!!!

I have to open mine after every Windows Update to reset my custom startup sounds on my machines. Why, because after every update I like to run a DISM and SFC scan and the SFC scan will flag and change my startup sound file back to the default sound as it's considered a system file lol.

Also occasionally a WU will reset my icon cache back to the default 512KB. They load much faster in explorer at my 4096KB custom size.

cheaterslick · Feb 15, 2026

HeavyHemi said:
I don't have to run it as admin.

I normally don't do that, either. Mostly the administrator box is ticked for things like CMD, Powershell, regedit, services.msc, places where I need the rights to run and make changes to the system.

But in Winaero's case, I just want to make sure I can do it without pop-ups or UAC warnings. Ticking it is optional.

HeavyHemi · Feb 15, 2026

cheaterslick said:
I normally don't do that, either. Mostly the administrator box is ticked for things like CMD, Powershell, regedit, services.msc, places where I need the rights to run and make changes to the system.

But in Winaero's case, I just want to make sure I can do it without pop-ups or UAC warnings. Ticking it is optional.

Welllllll.... I run Windows commado, with UAC disabled.

FrancoDT · Feb 15, 2026

HeavyHemi said:
Welllllll.... I run Windows commado, with UAC disabled.

Just an FYI, if you are completely disabling UAC using Winaero Tweaker there will be some side effects as UAC is tied to more aspects of Windows then people realize. It's better to just set the settings slider to the bottom rung then use Winareo to completely disable it. One example I can think of off the top of my head from disabling UAC with Winareo Tweaker is your Lock Screen will be effected, no widget cards will display on the lock screen if UAC is completely disabled.

Some store apps and task scheduler apps may also fail. Some installers and drivers may refuse to run. Disabling UAC completely is not the same as setting it to “Never notify.

HeavyHemi · Feb 15, 2026

FrancoDT said:
Just an FYI, if you are completely disabling UAC using Winaero Tweaker there will be some side effects as UAC is tied to more aspects of Windows then people realize. It's better to just set the settings slider to the bottom rung then use Winareo to completely disable it. One example I can think of off the top of my head from disabling UAC with Winareo Tweaker is your Lock Screen will be effected, no widget cards will display on the lock screen if UAC is completely disabled.

Some store apps and task scheduler apps may also fail. Some installers and drivers may refuse to run. Disabling UAC completely is not the same as setting it to “Never notify.

No, I don't use Aero Tweaker, I use the native Windows settings. I don't mind using an app to tweak visual/quality of life settings. Critical system settings I stay native.

Josey Wales · Feb 26, 2026

Winaero 1.65

From Winaero Site

Solved How to run Winaero Tweaker when MS Defender is preventing you to do so.

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