DEP - Turn On or Off for Programs

How To Turn DEP On or Off for a Program in Vista and Windows 7​

   Information

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature that can help prevent damage to your computer from viruses and other security threats. Harmful programs can try to attack Windows by attempting to run (also known as execute) code from system memory (RAM) locations reserved only for Windows and other authorized programs. These types of attacks can harm your programs and files. If DEP notices a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, it closes the program and notifies you with the DEP stop error. DEP is ran in a software mode and in a hardware mode. If your processor supports DEP (NX for AMD, and XD for Intel), then you will have hardware and software DEP. If it doesn't, then Vista will just use software DEP. 64 bit applications will have DEP enabled all the time by default, but 32 bit applications do not and must have DEP manually enabled for them.

For more information, see: Windows Help and Support: Data Execution Prevention: FAQs

   Note

If you choose to protect all programs, you can still turn off DEP for individual programs if you know that they are safe. If a program does not run correctly when DEP is turned on, check for a DEP compatible version of the program or an update from the software publisher before you change any DEP settings.

   Warning

Do not disable DEP, or exclude (OptOut) a program, unless you have adequate protection and are having problems only with a known safe program that DEP will not let run and you cannot live without it.


Adequate Protection:

• Antivirus program with realtime scanning (EX: Avast or AVG are good ones)
• A spyware/adware program with realtime scanning (EX: Windows Defender, Spybot Search and Destroy)
• Enable Vista UAC (User Account Control). It asks you for permission first for anything that wants to run with full access to the computer.

Here's How:
NOTE: 64 bit programs will always have DEP turned on. You cannot change this.

1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View)​

A) Click on the System icon.​

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B) Go to step 3.​

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OR​

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2. Open the Start menu.​

A) Right click on Computer and click Properties.​

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3. Click on Advanced system settings.(in upper left green area)​

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4. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.​

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5. Click on the Settings button under Performance section. (See screenshot below)​

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6. Click on the Data Execution Prevention tab. (See screenshot below)​

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7. Turn DEP On for Essential Windows Programs and Services Only​

NOTE: This turns on DEP for only the 32 bit system programs and services. This is the default setting.​

A) Dot Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only.​

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B) Go to step 9.​

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8. Turn DEP On for All Programs and Services Except for the Ones you Select​

NOTE: This turns on DEP for every 32 bit program except for the ones that you add to the list. The listed program will have DEP turned off for it.​

A) Dot Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.​

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B) Click Add to add the programs (32 bit) that you do not want to use the DEP feature.​

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C) Navigate to the program's .exe file that you want to add to the DEP exclusion list and select it, then click on Open.​

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9. Click on OK to apply. (See screenshot below step 8B)​

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10. Restart the computer to apply changes.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Turn Windows Features On or Off in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable DEP in Vista and Windows 7
• Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET)
• How to Create a "DEP System Properties" Shortcut in Vista and Windows 7

 

[Saidas]

I have a 32 bit and AVG and I'm not understanding how to disable DEP completely. The only two options I see here don't do this. DEP seems to come up only with IE7 & 8 so far and doesn't happen with Opera. I wind up using Opera most of the time because of this. So can I just disable this completely?

 

[Brink]

Hello Saidas,

For Internet Explorer, check with OPTION TWO in this tutorial below to see if it may be able to help you instead.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/120778-dep-enable-disable.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[HeavensGamer001]

When I try to add an exception to the list I get a message saying that DEP must be ran. Here is a screen shot, is there a way around this? note that it is a game and I have tried reinstalling it.

 

[townsbg]

Is there a reason why you are trying to add that game as an exception? What is the game?

 

[Tailah]

Hi there, I have followed the instructions and gotten up to the part where you choose the programmes to be exempt, the only issue is, I am trying to fix the error that comes up in my Sims 3 game and, It's not there to select to be exempt.

 

[Brink]

Hello Tailah, and welcome to Vista Forums.

In step 8, you would need to navigate to the .exe file for the game and select it at step 8C.

 

[prohitman567]

Hello,

The issue I keep encountering is that DEP still blocks the program even when I place and check off the program under the option "Turn on DEP except for those programs I select".

I even went as far as to completely disabled DEP and the program I wanted to run was still blocked by DEP.

Is there any solutions to this issue?

 

[Brink]

Hello Prohitman, and welcome to Vista Forums.

This could also be the DEP noexecute (NX bit) from your 64-bit processor blocking the program. You could disable this in your BIOS settings, but I would recommend to ditch the program instead if it's tripping DEP like this.

 

[RonP]

Hi there, I recently installed a new version of the Ikarus Aerofly r/c flight sim. but it won't open and the computer gives the DEP message. I tried stopping DEP for this program but got a message saying it needs DEP to run. I have a Dell Dimension 9200 running Vista Ultimate 32 bit. I have the Realflight 6.5 flight sim. and it works perfectly on this computer.
I also have the newest Aerofly FS (full size aircraft) sim and the same thing happens with it. Both these programs are listed as Vista compatible. Any ideas?
Thanks, RonP

 

[Brink]

Hello Ron, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You might check at the game publisher's websites below to make sure that you have the latest updates installed for them to see if that may help. If not, then you might contact their support to see what they have to say about this issue.

aerofly FS downloads

and

aerofly5 - Downloads


Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[RonP]

Thanks for the fast reply Shawn.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Ron. Please let us know how it went.