From 7bdf9be8f12751c5c2c528ea1c6857d6268e6fd9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jesse Plamondon-Willard <Pathoschild@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2026 22:48:38 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] improve error when a mod is blocked by Windows Smart App
 Control

---
 docs/release-notes.md        | 4 ++++
 src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs | 6 ++++++
 2 files changed, 10 insertions(+)

diff --git a/docs/release-notes.md b/docs/release-notes.md
index 15a04959..1933e182 100644
--- a/docs/release-notes.md
+++ b/docs/release-notes.md
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 ← [README](README.md)
 
 # Release notes
+## Upcoming release
+* For players:
+  * Improved error message when a mod is blocked by Windows Smart App Control.
+
 ## 4.5.2
 Released 14 March 2026 for Stardew Valley 1.6.14 or later. See [build attestation](https://github.com/Pathoschild/SMAPI/attestations/21366863).
 
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs b/src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs
index 036ec76c..e366c944 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs
@@ -2144,6 +2144,12 @@ internal class SCore : IDisposable
                 failReason = ModFailReason.Incompatible;
                 return false;
             }
+            catch (FileLoadException ex) when (ex.Message.Contains("0x800711C7"))
+            {
+                errorReasonPhrase = "it was blocked by Windows Smart App Control (usually not a problem with the mod itself)";
+                failReason = ModFailReason.LoadFailed;
+                return false;
+            }
             catch (SAssemblyLoadFailedException ex)
             {
                 errorReasonPhrase = $"its DLL couldn't be loaded: {ex.Message}";