Not-so-smart Windows Defender App Control cripples Microsoft's Xbox handheld, pisses users

Last year, Microsoft launched its first Xbox-branded handheld in partnership with ASUS. The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and its more expensive sibling are effectively handheld Windows PCs that have a bunch of extra software features for a more optimized gaming experience. However, it is still the good old Windows, which means it sometimes gets under everyone's skin. This time, it is Windows Defender and its Smart App Control giving users a hard time.

Users on Reddit report that they cannot run the ASUS Armory Crate, an important part of the console that lets you manage various parts of the system, tweak its settings, adjust performance profiles, etc. Windows Defender reportedly cannot verify the publisher of the app and prevents its launch. Frustrated users also claim that they cannot update or uninstall the Armory Crate app.

Smart App Control (not-so-smart in this case) is a security feature that blocks the execution of untrusted apps. If the system cannot verify that the program comes from a trusted source, it blocks all attempts to run it. The problem with Smart App Control is that it performs on a "zero trust" basis. In other words, once disabled, it cannot be enabled again, as the system becomes "compromised" and Microsoft cannot verify that it is "clean" and all the running software is up to security standards.

As such, affected users face a difficult choice: wait for Microsoft to fix its Silly Smart App Control or nuke it for good, with Windows reset being the only option to bring it back.

It is currently unknown how widespread the issue is, but if you decide to disable Smart App Control, head to Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control Settings > Off. Unless you critically need to change something in the Armory Crete app, the best course of action could be waiting for Microsoft to bring its "smart" security back to its senses.

Source

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Posted Thursday 29 January 2026 at 6:41 am AEST (my time).

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