‘This setting is Managed by your Administrator’ issue (Fixed)

This article will show you how to fix ‘This setting is Managed by your Administrator’ issue. Some users say they can’t change Windows Security options because they get an error that says, “This setting is managed by your administrator.” Those users see the error message just above the choices in the Virus & threat protection and App & browser tabs of that app. So, they can’t use important Windows Security settings that are greyed out and turned off. In Windows 11, the Windows Security app is used by default as an antivirus and system defence tool.

In addition to protecting against viruses and other threats, it uses the TPM chip and Secure Boot to provide Core Isolation and VBS. But when users try to change these settings in Windows Security, they get the ‘This Setting Is Managed by Your Administrator’ error. Users can’t change the app’s protection settings because of this. If you have the same problem, it could be because your GPE settings aren’t set up right, a third-party antivirus program is getting in the way, or a third-party tool changed something else. Follow these Ways to fix this ‘This setting is Managed by your Administrator’ issue and get back full control over Windows Security.

What is the “This setting is Managed by your Administrator” issue?

“This setting is managed by your administrator” doesn’t mean what it sounds like it means. It has nothing to do with whether or not you are logged in as an administrator. It has more to do with some random mistakes that can happen with Windows Defender.

There are different signs that this mistake has been made. For example, when you open “Windows Security” settings from the search box menu and go to “Reputation-based protection,” some of the choices will be greyed out. One of the choices, “Check apps and files,” has been turned off in this case. This is a very important setting because SmartScreen checks for apps and files that it doesn’t know. If you don’t have access to this control, you can’t handle your PC.

Causes the “This setting is Managed by your Administrator” issue

There are many things that can cause the “This setting is managed by your administrator” error. Here are some possible causes:

1. Group Policy: The setting in question may be enforced through Group Policy, which is a feature used by administrators to manage and configure settings on multiple computers in a network.
2. Registry Modification: A previous modification to the Windows Registry by the administrator or a system tool may have locked certain settings and prevented them from being changed.
3. Third-Party Software: Some third-party software applications, such as antivirus programs or system management tools, can enforce specific settings and restrict user modifications.
4. System Restrictions: In certain cases, the operating system itself may impose restrictions on particular settings to ensure system stability, security, or compliance with organizational policies.
5. User Account Control (UAC): The User Account Control feature in Windows can limit access to certain settings to prevent unauthorized changes and protect system integrity.

Ways to Fix ‘This setting is Managed by your Administrator’ issue

Update the Windows OS

Start by updating Windows to the latest version. This will fix any bugs in the operating system that could have been causing the “This Setting Is Managed by Your Administrator” problem.

1. Press Windows + I to go to the Windows settings.
2. On the left side of the screen, click Windows Update.
3. Then, click the “Check for Updates” button.
4. Click on Download Now to see if there are any new updates.
5. If your PC is connected to the Internet and you have allowed the software update to be downloaded instantly, the update will happen on its own. To finish the program, all you have to do is restart the PC.

Re-Register Windows Security App

Using a PowerShell command, you can re-register the Windows protection app. It’s a great way to fix the “This Setting Is Managed by Your Administrator” problem in the Windows security app.

1. Press Windows + S to open the search prompt.
2. When the correct result comes up, type PowerShell and click Run As Administrator.
3. Type the following instructions and hit the enter key.
4. Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.SecHealthUI | Foreach Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
5. Restart the computer.

Remove Windows Defender from the Registry

You can get to the Windows Registry and delete the Windows Defender key there. We suggest making a copy of the parent file and putting it on a USB drive or another external drive.

1. Hit Windows and R.
2. In the box that says “Run,” type “regedit” and hit “Enter.”
3. In the Registry, follow this road: HKLMSoftwarePolicyMicrosoftWindows Defender.
4. Right-click on the Windows Defender key and choose “Delete” from the menu.
5. Click Yes on the pop-up that comes up to confirm the delete.

Look for Corrupt System Files and Fix Them

Use SFC and DISM check to see if your PC has any broken system files. Here’s what you need to do.

1. To open the Run box, press Windows + R.
2. Type cmd and hit the enter key.
3. Type in this order./SCANNOW sfc
4. Press enter.

Make Changes to the Windows Defender Policies

Use the Group Policy Editor to make changes to Windows Defender rules.

1. To open the Run box, press Windows + R.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” and hit the “Enter” key.
3. Under Computer Configuration on the left side of the screen, click Administrative Template > Windows Components.
4. Double-click Microsoft Defender Anti-virus on the right, then click Real-Time Protection.
5. Click Turn off real-time security twice.
6. Click on Apply after choosing “Not Configured”.

Questions and Answers