How to turn off DEP (Data Execution Prevention) in Windows
Posted on May 10, 2009 at 5:13 am
Data Execution Prevention, otherwise known as DEP, is a set of technologies incorporated into Windows XP SP2 and later that prevents code from being run in certain regions of memory that are for storage.
This helps to prevent all kinds of attacks and exploits that would normally be able to run freely on your system. Data Execution Prevention comes in two flavors, hardware-enforced DEP and software-enforced DEP.
Most users will never need to worry about DEP because it works in the background and normally only protects Windows system binaries or programs that “opt-in”. However, if DEP is turned on for all programs, it can cause issues with some certain programs.
DEP will sometimes shut down a program or process without any notification if it violates DEP. Normally, these are third-party or older programs not written properly for Windows.
You can turn off Data Execution Prevention for a particular program in Windows by following the steps below. Note that you can turn off DEP globally for the entire system, but it’s not recommended as it makes your computer less secure.
Step 1: Right-click on My Computer and choose Properties. Then click on the Advanced tab and then Settings under Performance.
Step 2: Now click on the Data Execution Prevention tab and you’ll see two radio buttons:
Step 3: Go ahead and click on Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.
Step 4: Click the Add button and browse to the location of the executable for the program you want to remove from DEP protection.
After you do this, you should reboot your machine once in order for the changes to take place.
» Filed Under Windows XP
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if i cannot choose any options (because it is not highlighted) on the DEP tab, how can i access it? how can i activate it again? i appreciate if you can help me on this, i cannot run some of my programs, i think because of this. thanks a lot.
I can’t open properties, DEP won’t allow me. I can’t open many other important stuff too, like Add or Remove programs. When I open control panel, I tried to open ‘System’, it won’t open too. Do you know what I can do? I really hope you can help me, thank you.
great as long as the app is not black listed. I get the error Dep cannot be turned off for this application. for tweaking apps.
DEP option is disabled (because it is not highlighted, greyed out). Do this:
# Navigate to “All Programs” and “Accessories”
# Right-click on the icon “Command Prompt”
# Click “Properties” tab and in the “Shortcuts” where you normally are, click “Advanced”
# Check “Run as Administrator” and confirm with ‘OK’
# Click on “Command Prompt”
# Paste this to later in the prompt window: bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx OptIn
# Confirm by pressing “enter”
# The message “Success” appears.
# Restart to finalize your work.
olong- thanks so much! Worked flawlessly, and fixed a long-standing problem I’ve had with DEP! Thanks again!
I too am having problems with DEP it wont let me print any pdf files. I have ticked Adobe in the DEP box, but it still wont print
Same problem as Lee! I have also added Adobe in the DEP box, but get the error if I try to print, regards Peter
This does not work! I am trying to run the Free Realms Online browser game! The program is not in my computers DEP list. This is so annoying it wont let me play my game! How do I turn off DEP for an online game?
How does one turn off DEP for certain programs in Windows? Will this increase my security risk? Thanks.
I’v tried both; disabling DEP marking explorer.exe from being bothered by DEP, no results.. and then tried from; System Properties/Advanced/Startup and Recovery/Edit, and set the value ‘AlwaysOff’. That didn’t work either? I don’t get it, It still pops annoingly time to time?? Any solutions?
How do I disable DEP or turn it off for all programs in Windows7?
I also am trying to run games online and it it wont let me play any! How do I turn off DEP for an online game?
I have tried all of the above with no luck at least 5 times. Used different browsers, ie7, 8 firefox big, no luck. All of the programs are checked in the exemption box. Have uninstalled then reinstalled the above including adobe, no luck. Any suggestions. It only blocks pdf files fom printing.
I did this, but it tells me that when I start the program it should work with DEP being turned on and I can not disable it for that file. But it won’t let me run it.
DEP will not allow us online. I have to come to work to try to figure out how I can use my computer at home again!! How annoying!!! All the help tabs tell you to look it up online, but I can’t get online!!!
If that so, you might have viruses in your Windows OS..
I know how ANNOYING is the DEP -thing…., but have to think about, how difficult is nowadays to ‘play’ safely.
..anyway.. the DEP…—-RRRRR. . … (haven’t found solution..)
The worst scenario is, that ‘almighty’ DEP just shuts os ; only option is to reset. (rarely).
D. E. P. rules still. I’m so tired, you can not get rid of that fucker. (hola, microsoft)
I have a problem with getting on-line with Internet Explorer because of DEP (on one of my copmputers). Is there really no way to turn off DEP indefinatly in Windows? This is not just annoying, it’s insaine – Ms blocking it’s own program! I wonder if the function were installed along with an MS-update-file…..but which one is it, if that’s the case? If this were known, the specific update could be uninstalled. Can somebody help me, please?!
To disable/isolate DEP :
1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Tools > Folder Options > View
3. Uncheck “Hide Protected operating system files (Recommended)” and “Hide extensions for knows file types”
4. Click apply, and OK
5. Go to c:
6. Right click on boot.ini, select properties and ensure the “read-only” tab is unchecked and click OK
7. Double-Click boot.ini
8. Modify /noexecute= for example /noexecute=AlwaysOff to disasble completely
9. File > Save As
10. Filename: “boot.ini” (with the quotes) Save As Type:All Files Encoding: Ansi
11. Select Replace the oroginal “boot.ini”
12. After Saving, close file.
13. Right click on boot.ini, select properties and ensure the “read-only” tab is checked and click OK
14. Reboot
*On the step 8.You can change “/noexecute=optin” to “/execute=optin” it will isolate DEP.
This worked for over 5 people, but in my case Even if i have isolated DEP i try to enter a folder with 200 videos inside, i go to select or to play one of them and exporer restarts. Its fucking terrible thing.
Ane solution anyone else?
How can I turn off DEP globally for all programs? I wish you would have told us that.
I don’t understand step 5. Where and how can I go to c:?
My DEP will not turn off at all. I have tried for 4 hours now.
Anymore suggestions??
Thanks.
I haven’t had any problems with this until a couple of weeks ago. It usually happens with my own pictures. I use them on several web sites, and I am getting so frustrated at being shut down everytime I try to upload one. To be honest, I don’t even know the programs or applications I could list on the performance options for them to be allowed. I just like to use my computer, I don’t want to have to learn all the technical stuff.
I have often wondered how an operating system could bring me to want to contemplate the stabbing death of the people who built it.
I have no idea how people can get me that far.
Does anyone know whether the coders were told they were going to be making an operating system or were they left in the dark?
There, I found it.
How is it possible to make a system that is so hard to navigate? Why do they do that?
Why is finding things in Windows such a frustrating experience? You type in the thing you want in the search bar, it takes you where you need to be. How hard can that be?
The Windows control panel is an expression of pure hatred towards humanity. You can’t design something that badly by chance. You have to actually want to make it that bad.
I’d go to Redmond and plead for a better control panel on my bare knees if I was sure it would help.
/I’m sorry for the emotion, I’m just extremely frustrated. It shouldn’t be this hard, I shouldn’t waste all that time finding a box to click on.
This DEP is preventing me from uploading pictures. What are the risks if I disable it ?
Tx