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When i try to start BD I get an error stating it was blocked by Windows because it may not be safe. Screenshot is attached. I am running v 6.3 and Windows 11 just did updates the other day. I tried rebooting Windows and also running as administrator. No luck either way.
Hi Mike,
This is being caused by a newer Windows 11 security feature called Smart App Control.
Unfortunately, Smart App Control sometimes blocks legitimate programs that it does not yet recognize or trust. Microsoft has told us they will stop flagging Birder’s Diary, but that has not been fully resolved yet. Fewer than 5% of customers seem to run into this, and I have not been able to reproduce it on any of my own fully updated Windows 11 machines.
The practical fix is to turn off Smart App Control:
- Click in the Windows Search box on the taskbar.
- Type Smart App Control.
- Open the Smart App Control settings.
- Set it to Off.
- Now you are good to go.
This is not an indication that Birder’s Diary contains anything unsafe. It is a Windows trust/reputation issue that sometimes affects smaller software vendors.
Let me know if you need help with any of the steps.
Jeff,
Don't know if this helps but I see you uploaded 6.3 build 39 yesterday. When I updated to that the problems seems to have resolved itself. So I never got to the Smart App disable.
Don't know if this helps but I see you uploaded 6.3 build 39 yesterday. When I updated to that the problems seems to have resolved itself. So I never got to the Smart App disable.
Hi Mike,
This shows some of the problems Microsoft has been having with it. It is a bit flaky at best; stops BD today, allows it to work tomorrow. Best idea is to disable it until future releases improve upon it.
As a bit of history, I think I have had 2 or 3 customers have any problem at all with BD and Smart App Control. But those customers experienced the same issues without ever upgrading BD. Works one day; doesn't work the next. One week later, not working again; next day, it is back to working.
So - difficult to pin down. I have reported this to Microsoft, but I am sure they have their hands full with bigger fish (or should I say bigger birds) than Birder's Diary.