Windows Smart App Control Triggered on Driver Install

[poorandunlucky]

So Windows prevented intallation of unsigned files in protected folders upon updating drivers via Intel Driver & Support Assistant

Windows 25H2 26200.7840

Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9560 160MHz driver 24.20.0.4

Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) f/w: 3711102301e3211800 driver 24.20.0.3

I don't know what happened to the files, it triggered twice, once for each driver update, severity was shown as low, I imagine the files are in limbo, written by the installer, kept by Windows, so there's potential for a problem here.

Problem origin is unsigned files.

Please sign your files, this is 2026.  Thank you.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/smart-app-control-has-blocked-part-of-this-app-0729fff1-48bf-4b25-aa97-632fe55ccca2

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello poorandunlucky,

Thank you for posting in Intel Communities.

To help investigate this issue and provide proper assistance, I need to understand your situation better:

1. Are you currently experiencing any wireless or Bluetooth connectivity issues? I'm asking because you're attempting to update both drivers - is this to resolve existing problems or simply to ensure you have the latest versions?
2. Has Intel DSA worked properly for you before, or did this issue start occurring specifically after updating to Windows build 26200?
3. Could you provide a short video clip or screenshots showing the actual Smart App Control blocking message and the installation process?
4. Are there any specific error codes or additional details in the Windows notification that might help with investigation?
5. Please share:
   1. Screenshot of the wireless and Bluetooth device manager's properties showing driver versions
   2. Screenshot of the msinfo32 showing the system manufacturer/model, OS version/build, processor, etc.
6. When did you first encounter this unsigned file blocking issue? Were there any changes made prior to this issue?
7. Have you tried any workarounds or alternative installation methods?

This information will help our team better understand whether this is related to the specific Windows build, driver signing process, or Smart App Control configuration.

Looking forward to your reply.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[poorandunlucky]

System MFR is ASUS, BIOS is UEFI, processor is Intel i7-9750H, RAM is 32GB.

1. No problems, just periodical maintenance following notification of new drivers availability via Intel Driver Assistant taskbar app.

2. DSA always worked fine in the past, it's not DSA that's the issue, it's the two driver package installers themselves, I believe, that triggered the Windows subsystem.

3. Screenshots of Windows Security notifications showing driver specific origin-target triggers attached.

4. No, just WSAC.

5.1.  Windows 11 25H2 26200.7840; Intel AC-9560 24.20.0.4; Intel Bluetooth w/ FW ID="3711102301e3211800" 24.20.0.3.

5.2. ASUS w/ UEFI BIOS, Intel i7-9750H, 32 GB.

6. The date of the posting, never had issues with DSA, or either drivers, or their installers before.

7. As there's no functionality blocks (both hardware work fine), no workaround was sought pending a new driver version release.

Also noteworthy, the PC this occurred on had a primary hard drive upgrade around January 15th of this year, with a clean, and full re-installation of Windows 11 from external media using a Microsoft-provided ISO, so fairly fresh.  I had no issue on the initial run of Intel DSA following Windows install, there was perhaps an intermediate run of Intel DSA between then, and now which was also uneventful, and I never had any issues on any previous runs of Intel DSA on the same machine, but a different Windows 11 installation, and primary hard drive over the years, either, so it seems to be those specific driver package/release that have unsigned files in them.

Thanks for your reply, and concern, it's much appreciated! 

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello poorandunlucky,

Thank you for providing the detailed system information and screenshots. It's helpful to know that you performed a clean Windows 11 installation in January and that Intel DSA has been working without issues both on your fresh installation and previous setups on the same machine.

I just need to set proper expectations since this involves an OEM (ASUS system) device. Please understand that our support may be limited as we're not familiar with the specific technologies, settings, customizations, and proprietary features that your laptop manufacturer has implemented. However, I'll do my best to help resolve your concern.

To help resolve this, we'd like to gather some additional information and provide troubleshooting steps:

Are you experiencing this issue when running the driver installer manually (outside of DSA), or does it only occur when using the Intel Driver & Support Assistant?

Please proceed with the troubleshooting steps below:

1) Disable Smart App Control:

• Open Windows Security
• Go to App & browser control
• Click on Smart App Control settings
• Select Off
• Once disabled, run Intel DSA again to check for updates and install

2) Clear Temporary Files:

• Press Windows key + R to open Run dialog
• Type %temp% and press Enter
• Select all files and folders (Ctrl + A)
• Delete selected items (some files may be in use and cannot be deleted - this is normal)
• Empty your Recycle Bin
• Restart your computer
• Try running the driver installation again

Please let us know the results after trying these steps, and whether the manual installer method works differently than using DSA.

Looking forward to your reply.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[poorandunlucky]

I used Intel DSA from the web page/helper app, the "Install all" button, to be precise.

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to perform the troubleshooting steps for you, this is my personal desktop computer/laptop, that's essentially a FreeBSD console with GUI, and some extras, ethernet works, wi-fi works, my mouse works, and that's good-enough until the next release of your drivers, which are rather frequent, might I add, but can never be too safe with Bluetooth these days, it's connected to my phone, after all, and I don't have a wireless keyboard, but it could also transmit my keystrokes...  So can never be too safe.

I don't know how signatures work in Installshield, or whatever Windows installer package you use, but I'm sure these are two files that someone just forgot to sign, but how did unsigned signatures make it into the include path?  Isn't there a setting to make sure all the files are signed?  A script, I don't know, there should be one...  That's my whole point, my mouse works, fine, thanks...

If the problem persists, I'll talk to you again at the next version update, otherwise, well thanks for helping keep my LAN, and PAN connections secure, and private, I do very much appreciate.

Thanks again, and maybe talk to you again, probably kinda soon, if so...

Have a good one,

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello poorandunlucky,

Thank you for the update on your system status.

I understand that you're unable to perform the troubleshooting steps due to your FreeBSD setup, and I'm glad to hear that your ethernet, Wi-Fi, and mouse are all working properly. Since your wireless connectivity is functioning as expected and you're not experiencing any connection issues, no further action is needed at this time.

Given that your network connections are working correctly, we can consider this matter resolved. If you encounter any issues with future driver updates, please feel free to reach out to Intel Communities again.

Thank you for your feedback.

Sincerely,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician