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How to Block WhatsApp Application from Launching

Overview​

This article explains how to block and prevent the WhatsApp application from opening on Windows and macOS computers by configuring an Applications Denylist in the Content Aware Protection policy of Netwrix Endpoint Protector.

Instructions​

  1. Navigate to the Applications Denylist configuration page.
  2. For Windows operating systems:
    1. In the Application & CLI Command box, enter WhatsApp.exe.
    2. In the Parameters box, enter *.
    3. Click Add to Content.
    4. Verify that WhatsApp.exe * appears in the List of Application & CLI Command box on the right.
      Applications Denylist configuration for WhatsApp.exe on Windows
  3. For macOS operating systems:
    1. In the Application & CLI Command box, enter WhatsAppDesktop.
    2. In the Parameters box, enter *.
    3. Click Add to Content.
    4. Verify that WhatsAppDesktop * appears in the List of Application & CLI Command box on the right.
      Applications Denylist configuration for WhatsAppDesktop on macOS
  4. Select all entries by checking their checkboxes, then click Generate.
  5. The final result should display the denylist entries as shown below.
    Final Applications Denylist with WhatsApp entries
  6. Under Policy Denylists > Applications in the Content Aware Protection policy, select the application list you created.
  7. Save the policy and update the policies on the endpoint computers. Ensure you assign the policy to the target computers.
    Assigning the Applications Denylist policy to target computers
  8. Attempt to open the WhatsApp Desktop application to confirm it is blocked.