In a rather unfortunate turn of events, Microsoft’s Windows Smart App Control feature has inadvertently created challenges for users of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally gaming handheld. Following a recent update to Windows 11, essential software components of the Xbox handheld have been flagged as untrustworthy, creating a significant hurdle for gamers.
Impact on Asus ROG Xbox Ally
This situation is particularly notable given that the ROG Xbox Ally represents a high-profile collaboration between Microsoft and Asus, aimed at diversifying the Xbox brand. The software at the center of this issue, Armoury Crate CE, serves as the backbone for managing the hardware functionality of the ROG Xbox Ally console. While some features remain operational, users are experiencing difficulties launching games outside of the Xbox app and adjusting performance settings.
The Smart App Control feature, integrated into the Windows Defender security system, is designed to scrutinize software installations against a database of trusted applications. The current predicament suggests that Asus may not have adequately configured the certificates for their Armoury Crate CE app, or that Microsoft’s database requires an update.
This misstep is a significant disappointment for ROG Xbox Ally owners, especially considering the AUD00 price tag of the gaming consoles. The irony lies in the fact that many Windows 11 PCs do not have the Smart App Control feature activated. Microsoft outlines several reasons for this, including:
- Your device is enterprise-managed, or developer mode has been configured.
- During evaluation mode, Windows determined that you weren’t a good candidate for Smart App Control.
- It was turned off manually by you or another user who signed into your machine.
- Your device is running Windows in S mode, requiring a reset to exit this mode.
- You have optional diagnostic data in Windows turned off.
Interestingly, my own ROG Ally, desktop PC, and notebook do not have this feature enabled. This observation leads to the conclusion that disabling Smart App Control may not result in significant adverse effects. Users can find the toggle for this feature in SETTINGS > APP AND BROWSER CONTROLS > SMART APP CONTROL SETTINGS. Should users wish to reactivate Smart App Control later, they will need to reset or reinstall Windows, although there are indications that a more straightforward option may be introduced in the future.
As it stands, ROG Xbox Ally owners find themselves at a crossroads: they can either wait for a potential fix or disable a Windows security feature. The hope is that a timely update will soon restore functionality and ease the frustrations currently faced by users.
