SAC stands for Smart App Control. It appears in Windows Security under the App & browser control heading. Over on WindowsLatest this morning, I read about a new change with mounting excitement. Starting with Build 26220.7070, SAC may now be turned on and off at will. Before this new change, once turned off, reinstalling Windows (clean install) was the only way to turn SAC back on. But alas, it seems that SAC gains gradual rollout toggle, because that feature is not available to me. Look at the lead-in graphic the text under the “Off” toggle on my ThinkPad T14s. It still reads “If SAC is off it can’t be turned on without reinstalling Windows.” Drat!

Not Yet Included, As SAC Gains Gradual Rollout Toggle

As it turns out the same thing is true for my Lenovo X380 Yoga, running Build 26220.7344. Apparently, neither of my qualified test PCs meets the initial gating criteria for the new version of SAC. Sigh.

The clean install requirement (and the one my machines must meet) for turning SAC back on, once it’s turned off, is a kind of deal-breaker for me. I do understand that Windows wants SAC to start with a clean slate. Indeed, that’s why this requirement is exacted. But it seems MS can now get past this immense previous hurdle.

Thus, my question is: When will my eligible test PCs get their turn? Here in Windows-World, answering such questions inevitably means waiting … and waiting … and waiting … until that turn rolls around. If history is any guide, it will take a while. I’ll keep you posted, but don’t hold your breath.