If Microsoft is blocking the installation—often by restricting apps to the Microsoft Store or activating extra protection—here’s a helpful step-by-step you can follow:

Step 1: Allow Apps from Outside the Microsoft Store

1. Open Settings (you can press WIN + I).

2. Navigate to Apps → depending on your Windows version, go to Apps & features or Advanced app settings.

3. Look for the dropdown labeled “Choose where to get apps”:

   • Set it to Anywhere, or

   • Anywhere, but warn me before installing non‑Store apps, or

   • Anywhere, but let me know if there’s a comparable app in the Microsoft Store Microsoft Learn+4Reddit+4Microsoft Learn+4kb.swtc.edu+6support.microsoft.com+6AskVG+6.

4. If this option is grayed out or says “Some of these settings are managed by your organization”, it could be restricted by policy.

Step 2: Remove Policy Restrictions (If Option Is Locked)

• On Windows Pro:

  1. Press WIN + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

  2. Go to:
     Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Defender SmartScreen → Explorer

  3. Find “Configure App Install Control” and set it to Not Configured or choose an option that doesn't restrict installations AskVG+2Lifewire+2Microsoft Learn.

• On Windows Home:

  1. Press WIN + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to:
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen

  3. Delete any keys named ConfigureAppInstallControl or ConfigureAppInstallControlEnabled, then restart your PC Super User+15AskVG+15Microsoft Learn+15Lifewire.

Step 3: Disable Controlled Folder Access (If It’s Preventing Installation)

1. Open Windows Security (look for the shield icon or search for “Security” in the Start menu).

2. Go to Virus & threat protection → Manage ransomware protection.

3. Under Controlled folder access, either:

   • Turn it off, or

   • Click Allow an app through Controlled folder access, then choose the installer or app to let it through Microsoft LearnNinjaOne+8Microsoft Learn+8Microsoft Learn+8WinTips.org+2Microsoft Learn+2.

Step 4: Consider Windows S Mode (If on a Locked-Down System)

• If your device is running Windows in S Mode, you can only install apps from the Microsoft Store.

• To install external software, you'll need to switch out of S Mode, which is free and irreversible tenforums.com+8Microsoft Learn+8Reddit+8.

Step 5: Run the Installer as Administrator

• Right-click the setup file and choose Run as administrator.

• If Windows shows a “blocked” notice, you can right-click the file, select Properties, and click Unblock if that option is available.

Step 6: Use Microsoft’s Troubleshooter

• Download and run the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter from Microsoft: it can automatically fix installation issues and resolve registry errors NinjaOne.