Windows blocks the execution of a program

The Smart App Control in Windows 11 blocks applications, scripts and executable files (.exe) that are classified as untrusted or potentially unsafe.

Smart App Control is an AI-based security feature. It primarily blocks programs without a valid digital signature or those that don't yet have a "good reputation" in the Microsoft database. Currently in an evaluation phase until the end of 2025, it has been active with Windows 11 25H2 updates since January 2026.

From personal observation, it also blocks shortcuts to network drives. A script that isn't blocked on a local drive is indeed blocked on a network drive. While Smart App Control is very easy to disable, it's not so easy to re-enable.

You create a shortcut for the affected program. You specify the following as the target:

%windir%\system32\cmd.exe "/C YOUR_PATH\YOUR_PROGRAMM"

Replace the placeholder YOUR_PATH\YOUR_PROGRAMM above with the path to your program and your program name.

At Executing in you specify:

"YOUR_PATH"

Quotation marks are important if spaces appear in the path or name.

If your program requires additional parameters and contains spaces in the path, name, or parameter, it is recommended to create a startup script for calling the program and then call this script according to the specified pattern.

Finally, change the icon using "Other Icon" and specify your program as the source, where the icon is integrated.

So far, the Smart App Control AI does not recognize your program as potentially unsafe because it classifies CMD as safe. CMD is the command line integrated into Windows, and the /C parameter starts a program. See the explanation of the parameters here.

This method can also be applied to links that are not programs. Use the following as the target:

%windir%\explorer.exe "YOUR_PATH\YOUR_FILE"

and when executing in, they specify: %windir%

Good luck, we're happy to help further.