Blocking parts of apps

Question

Blocking parts of apps

Gwen O 0

I get a windows security pop up when I am trying to back up quicken stating that some features are blocked because they can't confirm who published emc.dll hat the app tied to load

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Emma1-N 14,895 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Gwen O,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand that Windows Security displays a warning while you are backing up Quicken, stating that some features were blocked because the publisher of emc.dll could not be confirmed.

Does the warning show the full file location for emc.dll? Also, did this start after a recent Quicken update or Windows update?

Please make sure you already tried the Q&A Assist steps. In addition, please try the following:

1, Check the location of emc.dll

When the warning appears, check whether it provides a file path or additional details.
Please share the file path shown for emc.dll, but remove any part containing your Windows username or other personal information.

2, Repair or update Quicken

Open Quicken and check for available application updates.
If Quicken is already current, use its repair option if available, or reinstall it using the official Quicken installer.
This can replace an application component that may be damaged or incorrectly registered.

3, Check Windows Security protection history

Open Windows Security.
Go to Virus & threat protection > Protection history.
Look for an entry corresponding to the time when the Quicken backup was attempted.
If you find one, please share the threat or action name shown there, without including personal information.

4, Check whether Windows is fully updated

Go to Settings > Windows Update.
Select Check for updates and install any available Windows security or cumulative updates.
Restart the computer afterward and test the Quicken backup again.

Looking forward to your update.

Gwen O 0 Reputation points

2026-10-28T20:49:24.7066667+00:00

Quicken updates are current. Windows updates are current.

It does not show a file path on the alert,

Protection History shows one moderate threat that has been dealt with. Nothing more than that is stated.

One of your suggestions is "If Quicken is already current, use its repair option if available, or reinstall it using the official Quicken installer." I am not comfortable doing that as I am not computer savvy enough to know if that will affect my current Quicken file. I am worried about losing all my years of data
Emma1-N 14,895 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-30T07:41:59.8566667+00:00
Hello Gwen O,

Thank you for your update. Please try the step:
1, Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

Save your work and close open programs.

Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan), then select Scan now.

The PC will restart and scan before Windows loads. This can take several minutes.

2, Test the backup to a different destination

In Quicken, start the backup again but choose a different location, such as a different folder or an external drive.

Let me know whether the same warning appears
Emma1-N 14,895 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-31T08:35:37.94+00:00

Hello Gwen O,

Is there any update from you? Please let me know, I will be here to assist you.
Gwen O 0 Reputation points

2026-11-03T19:29:52.79+00:00

Because I am not very computer savvy I was hesitant to try some of the suggestions so I took it to a computer repair store and they fixed everything.
Emma1-N 14,895 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-04T04:37:29.2+00:00

Hello Gwen O,

I'm glad to hear it is working again, and thank you for letting me know

Answer 2

This is commonly caused by Windows security features blocking a DLL or app component that it can’t verify.

Try these checks in order:

Check Potentially Unwanted App protection
- Open Windows Security.
- Go to App & browser control > Reputation-based protection.
- Review whether reputation-based protection is blocking the Quicken component.
- If the PC is organization-managed, this setting might not be changeable.
Check Smart App Control status
- Open Settings > Windows Security > App and Browser Control.
- Look for the Smart App Control section.
- If it shows On, Smart App Control is enforcing blocks.
- If it shows Evaluation, it is still assessing apps.
- If it shows Off, Smart App Control is not the cause.
If the blocked item is part of a legitimate app
- For apps blocked by security software because files inside the app package are not individually digitally signed, the documented workaround is to add the affected app to the allow list of the security software.
If Quicken is being blocked from protected folders during backup
- Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
- Select Ransomware protection.
- If Controlled folder access is enabled, allow Quicken through the protected folder list.

If the warning is specifically about emc.dll, that indicates Windows is objecting to that loaded component rather than the backup file itself. The most relevant areas to review are App & browser control and, if backup folders are involved, Ransomware protection.

References: