Microsoft has built-in the motive force userChoice Safety Driver, quick UCPD, into Home windows 10 and Home windows 11 programs just lately. This driver has only one objective: to dam entry to UserChoice Registry keys.
These Registry keys outline the default applications on the system. There are keys for the default internet browser, PDF Viewer, or picture editor. Keys exist for file extensions and protocols as effectively.
Microsoft launched a brand new convoluted manner of fixing default apps and file extension associations in Home windows 11 for customers. You may take a look at our information on setting default apps on Home windows 11 right here.
Up till just lately, applications may make modifications to the UserChoice Registry keys to vary default parameters. An online browser may set itself because the default program for all supported file sorts. Offered that the consumer needed this, it make issues loads simpler because of the automated manner of fixing defaults.
Specialised applications, resembling SetUserFTA or Sophia Script, included the performance as effectively. They made it simpler for residence customers and directors to vary defaults on Home windows machines.
Discover out if UCPD is put in
You might be in all probability questioning if the filter driver is put in and working in your Home windows system. Right here is how one can decide that:
- Open Begin, kind cmd and choose Command Immediate from the outcomes.
- Kind sc question UCPD.
How UCPD works
Gunnar Haslinger printed an evaluation on his weblog. The filter driver blocks entry to sure UserChoice Registry keys by returning entry denied.
Microsoft nonetheless permits entry, however just for processes that move the next verification:
- Is the method signed by Microsoft?
- Is the method on the deny checklist?
In different phrases: any third-party program that tries to make modifications to default apps, file extension handline or protocols on Home windows is blocked from doing so.
The deny checklist consists of Home windows instruments, more likely to stop third-party builders from utilizing them as a workaround. Instruments like regedit.exe, reg.exe, or powershell.exe are on the deny checklist.
Are you able to cease UCPD?
It takes two steps to place an finish to UCPD.
- Set the startup kind of UserChoice Safety Driver to disabled.
- Deactivate the UCPD Velocity job within the Activity Scheduler.
Step 1: Change the startup kind of UCPD to disabled
It’s needed to dam the filter driver from beginning with Home windows. Right here is how that’s accomplished:
- Open Begin, kind cmd, and choose run as administrator.
- Execute the next command: sc config UCPD begin= disabled
Step 2: Deactivate UCPD Velocity within the Activity Scheduler
The UCPD Velocity job has a single objective: make it possible for the filter driver runs. It does so after every consumer signal. If its validation fails, it’s going to reset the startup kind of the UCD service to system begin to make it possible for it begins with the system. It should moreover begin the service to verify the filter runs on the system.
Whereas beginning is feasible at any time, disabling will not be. Disabling works provided that the startup kind is about to disabled and the system is restarted.
The duty checks the worth of FeatureV2 in HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesUCPD as effectively. If not set to the worth 2, it’s going to set the worth to it.
Right here is the way you disable the duty:
- Open Begin.
- Kind Activity Scheduler.
- Choose “Run as administrator” from the checklist of choices.
- Use the sidebar to go to Activity Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Home windows > AppxDeploymentClient.
- Proper-click on the duty and choose “disable”.
You may additionally run this from an elevated command immediate: schtasks.exe /change /Disable /TN “MicrosoftWindowsAppxDeploymentClientUCPD velocity”
A restart of the system is required to finish the method.
Closing Phrases
Microsoft didn’t introduced the brand new filter driver on any of its websites or blogs to the very best of my data. It’s subsequently unclear why it was launched.
While you have a look at the filters performance, you’ll discover that it blocks third-party applications from making modifications to the defaults. Microsoft’s filter makes no distinction right here; authentic applications resembling internet browsers are blocked, even when the consumer desires the modifications to the defaults to be made.
Equally, specialised applications, such because the aforementioned SetUserFTA are additionally blocked. These are normally run by customers and directors to make “needed” modifications to the system.
Clearly, Microsoft is decreasing consumer selection and skills with the brand new filter driver. Even whether it is designed to guard in opposition to sure sorts of malicious software program, it has the facet impact of eradicating choices from customers. It is usually clear that Microsoft is the benefactor right here, as it’s now harder to vary defaults on Home windows machines.
There might be workarounds and certain a cat and mouse recreation between Microsoft including workarounds to the deny checklist and builders discovering new methods to make the modifications.
We requested Microsoft for touch upon the matter, however haven’t heard again but.
Abstract
Article Identify
New sneaky Home windows driver UCDP stops non-Microsoft software program from setting defaults
Description
Microsoft launched a brand new filter drive in Home windows 10 and 11 that blocks third-party applications from altering default apps and file extensions.
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Martin Brinkmann
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