nextcloud / nextcloud/desktop

Nextcloud fails to start on fresh installations of Windows 11 because some DLLs are not signed, causing Smart App Control to block them

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#10,432 4 comments 2 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
0. Needs triage bug
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C++
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Description

### ⚠️ Before submitting, please verify the following: ⚠️

- [x] This is a **bug**, not a question or a configuration issue.
- [x] This issue is **not** already reported on Github (I have searched for it).
- [x] Nextcloud Server and Desktop Client are **up to date**. See [Server Maintenance and Release Schedule](https://github.com/nextcloud/server/wiki/Maintenance-and-Release-Schedule) and [Desktop Releases](https://nextcloud.com/install/#install-clients) for supported versions.
- [x] I agree to follow Nextcloud's [Code of Conduct](https://nextcloud.com/contribute/code-of-conduct/)

### Bug description

The files `nextcloudsync_vfs_cfapi.dll` and `nextcloudsync_vfs_suffix.dll` are not signed and therefore blocked from loading on Windows 11 if Smart App Control is enabled.

Image

Smart App Control is enabled by default on fresh installations of Windows 11.

### Steps to reproduce

1. Ensure Smart App Control in enabled on your version of Windows 11
2. Download the latest installer from https://nextcloud.com/install/#desktop-files
3. Click through the installer (set checkbox to Launch Nextcloud on the last page)
4. Get security warning from Windows, telling you that the DLLs have been blocked

### Expected behavior

Nextcloud starts without issues.

### Which files are affected by this bug

_No shared files was affected. The desktop app has not yet been configured._

### Operating system

Windows

### Which version of the operating system you are running.

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8875)

### Installation method

Official Windows MSI

### Nextcloud Server version

_not connected to any server_

### Nextcloud Desktop Client version

33.0.7

### Did this occur after an update or on a clean installation?

Clean desktop client installation

### Are you using the Nextcloud Server Encryption module?

No

### Are you using an external user-backend?

- [x] Default internal user-backend
- [ ] LDAP or Active Directory
- [ ] SSO - SAML
- [ ] Other

### Nextcloud Server logs

```shell
_no server_
```

### Additional info

Client log: [20260722_2351_nextcloud.log](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/30285736/20260722_2351_nextcloud.log)

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start with the official Windows MSI installer and the two affected files, nextcloudsync_vfs_cfapi.dll and nextcloudsync_vfs_suffix.dll. Reproduce the clean-install failure on Windows 11 with Smart App Control enabled and inspect how these DLLs are included in the installer. Done means a fresh installation launches without Windows blocking either DLL.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
build-system, desktop, security
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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