How to Enable PUA Protection security feature on Edge Chromium

Surely, when using a computer, you have all seen a screen warning that the downloaded file / file is dangerous, contains a virus when you try to run or download it, right!

The warning screen appears by Windows Defender's Advanced Threat Protection feature when it detects a file that contains any threat to the computer.

It's great that now, Microsoft's Chromium-based Edge web browser has also been equipped with a similar feature called Potentially Unwanted Application Protection.

That's why in this article, I will show you in detail how to turn on and off the PUA feature on Edge Chromium of Windows 10 operating system!

What is Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA)? 

First, we need to understand what Potentially Unwanted Application (abbreviated PUA) is.

PUA's main task is to prevent and kill Adware that is trying to steal information and is trying to install adware on your computer.

In fact, PUA will recognize software that is not really a virus, but sometimes it is adware but is marked as dangerous because it is annoying for users when installed on the computer.

The very easy to know features of the adware that will be blocked by PUA are:

1. Always recommend other software as promotional packages.
2. Always install software like CC Cleaner, McAfee yourself without your permission, or many people who don't notice will be mistakenly installed.
3. Always recommending (anonymous) antiviruses…

And to overcome that, Microsoft Edge Chromium has been equipped with Potentially Unwanted Application Protection to automatically stop and warn you when there is a danger.

II. Ways to activate Potentially Unwanted Application

There are 2 ways to enable the PUA feature on Edge Chromium and I will guide you through each one. Do it whichever way you find easiest.

Method #1: Enable PUA Protection with Settings

By default, this feature has been disabled in Edge, you can turn it back on by typing edge://settings in the web browser's address bar => and then pressing ENTER to open the settings.

=> Then on the main page of the settings, you switch to the Privacy and Services section.

How to Enable PUA Protection security feature on Edge Chromium Picture 1

You scroll down to the bottom of Privacy and services settings, find the line Block Potentially Unwanted Apps and turn it ON by turning the switch to the right to green.

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Now, when there is any dangerous software, Edge will automatically block and warn you. You will now have 2 options, one is to delete, the other is to keep if you know for sure it is not malware.

Microsoft has a page for you to try this feature, you can visit the link here !

Method #2 : Enable PUA Protection with Edge Flags

Usually, you will choose method 1, because it's simple and easy to do, but if you like to scratch, here it is, do it this way.

Type in the address box edge:flags => and then press Enter to open the page to manage experimental features on Edge.

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Here, search with the keyword pua => then change the status of Potentially unwanted application protection from Default to Enabled.

Finally, click the blue Restart button to restart your web browser and apply the changes!

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Above is my detailed guide on how to turn on the PUA Protection feature on Microsoft Edge Chromium browser, to protect your computer from junk applications, advertising applications and viruses.

Using this feature in combination with the support of Windows Defender, you will not have to worry about installing the wrong Virus, Adware . or other harmful things to your computer.

Good luck !

Isabella Humphrey

Update 18 May 2021