How to configure Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature in Windows Vista
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DEP is used by the Windows to enhance the security of our system. It terminates or prevents those programs from running which it considers to be suspicious such as malicious programs and viruses. It may happen that Windows does not support a program but you still want to execute it. Thus you can make the use of this setting to achieve it.

To configure DEP follow these steps:

1) First right click on the Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties.



Figure 1


2) In the System window click the Advanced system settings link in the left pane.



Figure 2

3) In the System Properties window select the Advanced tab and click the Settings button under Performance section.



Figure 3


4) In the Performance Options window click the Data Execution Prevention tab.



Figure 4


5) Now select the option Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select and click the Add button.



Figure 5


Note: There are some files for which you cannot skip DEP. If you try to add these files then you will get the following warning:



Figure 6


6) You can remove a file from the list of programs for which the DEP is turned off. Simply select that file and click Remove button.

7) Click Apply and then OK button