The Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature on Windows Vista helps to prevent dangerous external threats from running themselves on your PC, this should help stop things like viruses and other threats.

Some people do not like DEP running on their system but personally I would just leave it enabled. If you do want to disable it or just want to let DEP run just on the programs you want then just follow these tweaks.

Disable Data Execution Prevention

  • Click start
  • Type CMD in the start bar
  • Type in the following command
    • bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff
  • You will now need to reboot
  • To turn DEP back on type the following command in CMD
  • bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOn

Edit Data Execution Prevention

  • Open control panel
  • Click system and maintenance
  • Click system
  • Click advanced system settings
  • Click the advanced tab
  • Under performance click settings
  • Click the Data Execution Prevention tab
  • Turn on Turn on DEP for all programs and services except for those I select
  • Now click add and select the applications you want DEP turned off on
  • Click apply and OK
  • You will need to reboot to see the effects