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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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.
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
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