Smart App Control - Turned itself on but Send Optional Diagnostic Data is off


Webweaver

Webweaver

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Earlier this morning when I was playing a game Smart App Control switched from Evaluation mode to On. I've just recently upgraded from 10 to 11 and looked into this feature, but it seems that it requires optional diagnostic Data to be on for it to switch on, what gives?

Has Microsoft changed their policy on Smart App Control?

smart app control.webp
 
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I also tried toggling Send Optional Diagnostic Data On and then Off and restarted the PC, Smart App Control was still on. Maybe it's not required anymore? Toggling it off should turn off SAC
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
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    5800X3D
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    Asus B550-F Strix
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    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
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    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.
Webweaver said:
Earlier this morning when I was playing a game Smart App Control switched from Evaluation mode to On. I've just recently upgraded from 10 to 11 and looked into this feature, but it seems that it requires optional diagnostic Data to be on for it to switch on, what gives?

Has Microsoft changed their policy on Smart App Control?

View attachment 145536
Click to expand...
From what I have read, it stays in evaluation mode until it is either triggered by something, or has trained on your usage. should be no need for optional data. I would leave as is unless you have good reason to turn it off.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
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    Ryzen 5 5800X
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    Asus B550 Strix gaming
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    32Gb Corsair 3200
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    Gigabyte RTX4070-Super
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    2x 1440, 1x 1080

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint
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    i5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz
    Memory
    16gb DDR3
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    MSI GTX 1080
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    1920x1080 VA panel
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    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    1x SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 5800X
    Motherboard
    Asus B550 Strix gaming
    Memory
    32Gb Corsair 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX4070-Super
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    2x 1440, 1x 1080
Hello, :alien:

This is from Microsoft FAQs "Why is Smart App Control turned off":
www.elevenforum.com

Turn On or Off Smart App Control in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to manually turn on or off Smart App Control in Windows 11. Smart App Control (SAC) is a new security feature starting with Windows 11 build 22567. Smart App Control can work alongside your other security software, such as Microsoft Defender, for added...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

Smart App Control Frequently Asked Questions - Microsoft Support

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Smart App Control, a Windows feature designed to block malicious, untrusted, or potentially unwanted apps from running on your device.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com
 

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Aramil said:
Well I just checked on of my fresh 11 installs both are in evaluation, with no extra data being sent, my other is set to on after training. As far as I know it only needs required data not optional? unless someone can clarify, I have never had it on.

maybe the FAQ is out of date?
Click to expand...


It's probable. There is an older thread that was talking about the same thing, the OP was also on 24H2. I'm glad to have the feature I was just concerned if it would be working properly based on the FAQ.
Brink said:
Hello, :alien:

This is from Microsoft FAQs "Why is Smart App Control turned off":
www.elevenforum.com

Turn On or Off Smart App Control in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to manually turn on or off Smart App Control in Windows 11. Smart App Control (SAC) is a new security feature starting with Windows 11 build 22567. Smart App Control can work alongside your other security software, such as Microsoft Defender, for added...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

Smart App Control Frequently Asked Questions - Microsoft Support

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Smart App Control, a Windows feature designed to block malicious, untrusted, or potentially unwanted apps from running on your device.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com
Click to expand...

It's gotta be out of date.

learn.microsoft.com

Required diagnostic events and fields for Windows 11, version 24H2 - Windows Privacy

Learn more about the diagnostic data gathered for Windows 11, version 24H2.
learn.microsoft.com

24H2 has more required diagnostics relating to SAC so maybe it doesn't need optional data

And Aramil's SAC should have not even entered evaluation mode with optional data off. Weird. Then again I keep finding little things with 24H2 that aren't documented 😕
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
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    1440p
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    Corsair RM850x
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    Noctua NH-D15
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    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.
Webweaver said:
I've just recently upgraded from 10 to 11 and looked into this feature, but it seems that it requires optional diagnostic Data to be on for it to switch on, what gives?
Click to expand...
I can't speak to your case, because you upgraded from W10 -> W11.

Generally, SAC requires optional diagnostic data to be enabled during the OOBE setup, when SAC is initially in Evaluation Mode. I believe that once SAC is enabled, either automatically by the OS or user-enabled, optional diagnostic data can be turned off.

Webweaver said:
And Aramil's SAC should have not even entered evaluation mode with optional data off. Weird.
Click to expand...
That's what I figured. Strange.
Webweaver said:
24H2 has more required diagnostics relating to SAC so maybe it doesn't need optional data
Click to expand...
You may be on to something.
Webweaver said:
Then again I keep finding little things with 24H2 that aren't documented 😕
Click to expand...
Indeed,
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.7840
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    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaPad L340
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    Intel Core i3-8145U
    Memory
    16GB
    Hard Drives
    500 GB M2 1 TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    400 MB
    Browser
    Chrome | Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender | Block unknown executables | Various ASR rules enabled | Smart App Control
oldschool said:
I can't speak to your case, because you upgraded from W10 -> W11.
Click to expand...
Sorry I should have been clearer in the OP.

I upgraded via Install Media USB, and wiped away the 10 installation before installing 11. Still very weird, hope SAC still functions correctly 🤞
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz
    Memory
    16gb DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 1080
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1920x1080 VA panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    1x SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.
Webweaver said:
Sorry I should have been clearer in the OP.

I upgraded via Install Media USB, and wiped away the 10 installation before installing 11. Still very weird, hope SAC still functions correctly 🤞
Click to expand...
It probably is fine. You should be able to check by downloading and running an unsigned exe that you know is safe and not prevalent.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.7840
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaPad L340
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-8145U
    Memory
    16GB
    Hard Drives
    500 GB M2 1 TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    400 MB
    Browser
    Chrome | Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender | Block unknown executables | Various ASR rules enabled | Smart App Control
I'm not sure if it's actually working. My friend wrote a calculator for a game in Rust a while ago and it's packaged as an exe and unsigned. It's only been used by a handful of people so it's definitely not prevalent and SAC let me run it.

Edit: Although it was released about a month ago and back then people's smartscreen flagged it, so a couple of us uploaded it to VT. So maybe Microsoft has it in a exclusion list now? Don't know if that would effect SAC
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz
    Memory
    16gb DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 1080
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1920x1080 VA panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    1x SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.7840
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaPad L340
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-8145U
    Memory
    16GB
    Hard Drives
    500 GB M2 1 TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    400 MB
    Browser
    Chrome | Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender | Block unknown executables | Various ASR rules enabled | Smart App Control

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz
    Memory
    16gb DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 1080
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1920x1080 VA panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    1x SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.7840
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaPad L340
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-8145U
    Memory
    16GB
    Hard Drives
    500 GB M2 1 TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    400 MB
    Browser
    Chrome | Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender | Block unknown executables | Various ASR rules enabled | Smart App Control

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz
    Memory
    16gb DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 1080
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1920x1080 VA panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    1x SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.
So I'm assuming this means SAC isn't working on my machine? Should I just switch it off then? Unless someone else can test that ungoogled chromium file and see if their SAC blocks it. I'm kinda at a loss of what's going on with my machine.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz
    Memory
    16gb DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 1080
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1920x1080 VA panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    1x SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.
Webweaver said:
So I'm assuming this means SAC isn't working on my machine? Should I just switch it off then? Unless someone else can test that ungoogled chromium file and see if their SAC blocks it. I'm kinda at a loss of what's going on with my machine.
Click to expand...
Just checked Ungoogled Chromium, SAC caught it straight away. strange you are seeing different.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 5800X
    Motherboard
    Asus B550 Strix gaming
    Memory
    32Gb Corsair 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX4070-Super
    Screen Resolution
    2x 1440, 1x 1080
Webweaver said:
So I'm assuming this means SAC isn't working on my machine? Should I just switch it off then? Unless someone else can test that ungoogled chromium file and see if their SAC blocks it. I'm kinda at a loss of what's going on with my machine.
Click to expand...
Are you in the U.S.?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.7840
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaPad L340
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-8145U
    Memory
    16GB
    Hard Drives
    500 GB M2 1 TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    400 MB
    Browser
    Chrome | Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender | Block unknown executables | Various ASR rules enabled | Smart App Control
Aramil said:
Just checked Ungoogled Chromium, SAC caught it straight away. strange you are seeing different.
Click to expand...
SAC should allow it after a few days, because I've been able to install it fairly recently.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.7840
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaPad L340
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-8145U
    Memory
    16GB
    Hard Drives
    500 GB M2 1 TB HDD
    Internet Speed
    400 MB
    Browser
    Chrome | Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender | Block unknown executables | Various ASR rules enabled | Smart App Control
Yeah I'm in the US. I think I'm just going to turn off the feature if it's not working, very annoying.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    5800X3D
    Motherboard
    Asus B550-F Strix
    Memory
    64gb DDR4 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3080
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-4670K OC @ 4.2ghz
    Memory
    16gb DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 1080
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1920x1080 VA panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    1x SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x
    Cooling
    Coolermaster 212 air cooler
    Other Info
    RIP Win 10 the 4670k is old but still strong.
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