Microsoft introduced Data Execution Prevention or DEP, a security feature that can help prevent damage to your computer by monitoring programs from time to time. It is present in Windows Server as well as Windows 11/10/8/7. Monitoring ensures that running programs use system memory efficiently. If there is an instance of a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, DEP notices it, closes the program and notifies you.
If you want to generally turn off DEP or Data Execution Prevention in your Windows 11/10, you can always do so, But if you need to turn off Data Execution Prevention for a particular program only, like say explorer.exe, here’s how to go about.
Turn off Data Execution Prevention for Particular Program
Open Windows File Explorer. Right-click This PC or Computer and choose, ‘Properties’. Then, select the ‘Advanced System settings’ option. Next, from the ‘System Properties’ window, select the ‘Advanced’ tab. Choose the ‘Performance’ section now and from the new Performance Options window that appears on your computer screen, select ‘Data Execution Prevention tab’.
You will see the options:
- Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services
- Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.
Select the latter and click Add. Browse to the Program Files folder, find the .exe file for the program, and then click Open.
This way, you can disable or turn off Data Execution Prevention for Explorer too, by navigating to the C:\Windows folder and selecting explorer.exe.
