The Microsoft Smart App Control
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2026 9:18 pm
Note to all users (1/20/2026): If you receive a notice from the Windows Smart App Control saying that it cannot run BibleWorks because Microsoft does not recognize it as a safe program, your only recourse is to turn off the Smart App Control completwely. There is no per app whitelist. To do this search for "Smart App Control" in the Windows search pane. The Smart App Control is a new feature that disables unsigned applications. You have to either turn it off or stop using BibleWorks. Program executables distributed after the closure of BibleWorks are unsigned. The Smart App Control starts out in what it calls Evaluation Mode. Windows says this: "While Smart App Control is in Evaluation mode it will learn if it can help protect you without getting in your way too much. If so it will automatically be turned on. Otherwise it will be turned off." I do not know what Microsoft was thinking. Answer: they were not thinking. FYI the commercial releases of BibleWorks were signed, but the registration process is very expensive. I cannot afford that now. Turn it off or stop using BibleWorks. Your choice. There are plenty of safeguards in Windows without it.