Create DEP Exception for a Program in Windows Vista

Data Execution Prevention (or DEP in short) is a security feature included in Microsoft Windows Vista and 7 that is intended to prevent a program from executing code from a non-executable memory region. While this feature is good, some programs may refuse to run with DEP on. You can configure DEP exception for such a program so that you can run it without DEP. Here is how :

  1. Press the keyboard shortcut Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. In the Run dialog, type SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe and press Enter.

    Run Dialog in Windows Vista

  3. In the System Properties window, click on the Settings button under the Performance section.

    Advanced System Properties in Vista

  4. Click the Data Execution Prevention tab to select it.
  5. Under this tab, select the option Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.

    Create DEP Exception in Vista

  6. Click on the Add button. This will open a Open File dialog. Browse your program file (EXE file) in the Open File dialog, select it and then click Open.
  7. Click Apply to save the settings.

Please note than you cannot turn off DEP for some system programs as Windows enforces DEP for them. You should not turn off DEP for a program, unless you have no other option left.