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Microsoft changes stance: To use Win11's intelligent app control, a fresh installation is still required
IT Home, March 2 — According to Neowin, Microsoft has confirmed that a previously promoted feature still requires a clean installation to use. Microsoft has consistently stated that a clean install is necessary to enable Smart App Control. Smart App Control is a Windows 11 exclusive feature, and Microsoft has mentioned it multiple times, emphasizing that it helps improve system performance.
Microsoft previously stated that one major advantage of Smart App Control is its minimal impact on PC performance because it can block malicious applications before they run. This means there’s no need for “continuous scanning of active files,” reducing the burden on the computer. Microsoft also added that this differs from “traditional antivirus software, which sometimes consumes more resources while continuously scanning files and processes.”
IT Home notes that at the end of December last year, Microsoft announced that Smart App Control would no longer require a clean install. At that time, the change was being tested as a preview, and it was confirmed in the support documentation for the January 2026 C update that this change would be rolled out to all users.
However, Microsoft later reversed course, updating the support page again and removing the related content from the update notes.
Microsoft states:
Update notes: This feature was initially documented in the January 2026 non-security update (KB5074109) and has now been removed from the documentation, with plans to introduce it in future versions.
[Smart App Control] New!
You can enable or disable Smart App Control (SAC) without a clean install.
To change settings, go to:
Windows Security Center → App & Browser Control → Smart App Control Settings.
Once enabled, Smart App Control will block untrusted or potentially harmful applications.
Therefore, if you previously wanted to try this feature but found it couldn’t be enabled without a clean install, that’s the reason. Microsoft states that this feature will be officially released in future Windows updates.