How to block programs and applications in Windows

Learn to How to block programs and applications in Windows can be very useful at different times. You may have children, or you may simply not want certain applications to run on your personal computer. Whatever the case, we are going to teach you how to block all these programs and applications for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Don't worry because everything we teach you can be used on both operating systems.

There are many situations where it may be necessary to restrict access to different Windows programs or applications. And sometimes You need to block even to improve your productivity. It is no longer just due to inappropriate content, it could be perfectly due to what we have told you above. Luckily, Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer us different tools to do this, that is why from Tecnobits We are going to teach you how to block programs and applications in Windows.

Blocking by using the local group policy editor

One of the main ways to learn how to block programs and applications in Windows is by using local group policies. The thing is that this method is going to be available in two versions of Windows: Enterprise and Pro version of WindowsIf you own one of these two versions, you're in luck, we're going to explain it to you step by step:

1. You will need to open the local group policy editor: To open it, press the Windows key + R and you will open CMD. After this, when you have the command window open, type “gpedit.msc” and press enter. This will open the local group policy editor.
2. Choose the correct route: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Do not run specific Windows applications.
3. Configure the restrictions you want to add: On the right side you will have to click on “Do not run specific Windows applications”. After this, mark the “enabled” option and now click on the “show” button. Now within this new window, you have to add the names of the executable programs that you want to start blocking, for example, “chrome.exe” for the Google Chrome browser. Now accept the changes.

It doesn't matter if you have different users on the particular PC, this system will block the programs on all of them. So if you block something for your children with your user, it will be blocked on yours as well.

Using Parental Controls (Microsoft Family Safety)

 

In previous paragraphs of this article on how to block programs and applications in Windows, we mentioned that one of the reasons why you may want to block programs and different executables is with parental control, with the little ones in the house. In this case, if your objective is to protect children or a family member, you can use Windows parental control as we told you. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Set up a family account on Windows: Create this family account within Windows. To do this, go to Accounts > Family & other users > Add a family member. Within this, you can add or create accounts for the different children in the house.
2. Access Microsoft Family Safety: You will need to log in with your Microsoft account and go to the Microsoft Family Safety page. Now from that page in the control panel you will need to select the child's profile and adjust all the time restrictions you want to add. Once you do that, you will also need to set the restrictions on the programs that the little one can use.
3. Block different apps and games: Go to the Windows apps, games, and media section. Within this section you will see all the available options to block what the section title itself tells us.

Blocking using Windows Firewall

 

Another of the great tools of Windows is the Firewall, and it also falls under how to block programs and applications in Windows. Because it will help you with this. And sometimes without you knowing it, it has bothered you. It is true that this method It does not completely prevent different Windows apps from running But it will greatly limit the use you give them. To use it well, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Firewall: Press Windows key + S and search for Windows Firewall. Now select Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.
2. Create a rule: You will see a menu on the left, select exit rules. Now click on “new rule”, choose the program option and click next. Now you will have to select the “this program path” option and after that search within your PC where the executable is installed.
3. Set up the lock as you wish: Now select Block the connection and then continue with the steps that Windows offers you. This way you will prevent the program from connecting to different media such as the Internet.

We hope that this tutorial on how to block programs and applications in Windows has been useful to you. There are even software programs that limit, but in this case we wanted to use tools at hand. In case you have activated the Windows Firewall but want to deactivate it, we leave you this advice of Tecnobits about how to disable Windows Defender.