How to enable or disable smartscreen filter in Windows

Smartscreen is designed to block suspected files automatically, but it often flags the actual download as malicious. Here is told how you can disable Windows Defender Smartscreen on Windows 11 to download and run the apps.

How does Windows Smartscreen Filter works?

Smartscreen depends on the reputation-based protection to protect your device from malicious or potentially unwanted apps and websites. When capable, smartscreen is screening your download against suspected suspected sites and developers. If a match is found, it blocks the download or site access and warns the user about action.

You can configure it to block the unfacified apps and files from the web. It also provides additional reputation-based protection for Microsoft Store apps and can block third-party applications with low reputation scores that are known to cause unexpected behavior.

However, reputation screening can sometimes block apps, even if they come from reliable sources. If you rely on the app, you can temporarily close the smartscreen filter to install and run it, then turn it back to Windows Security Settings.

Close Smartscreen using Windows Security App

The easiest way to shut down smartscreen is using the Windows Security App. Let’s see how to do this:

1. Click StartType Windows security And open the app with search results.

2. Open App and browser control Tab in the left pane.

3. Click on Reputation-based protection settings Under Reputation-based security.

4. Here, you will find four different smartscreen filters that you can personally enable or disable. If you want to turn off the filter for files and execution, then close Check apps and files And Potentially unwanted app blocked Filter. The other two are for filters Microsoft edge And Microsoft Store Apps,

5. If you want to close the smartscreen completely, disable all four filters.

If you are unable to open the Windows Security app, check out our troubleshooting guide to fix the vacant Windows Security Screen. If any smartscreen filter is grayed with a message “This setting is managed by your administrator,” you will need your administrator to make changes for you.

Disable smartscreen for microsoft edge

Microsoft Defenders near Microsoft Edge is an underlying option to enable and disable smartscreen. Here’s how to access it:

1. In Microsoft Edge, click Three-Dots menu Top icon in the right corner and choose setting,

2. Open Secrecy, Search, and services Tab in the left pane.

3. Click again Security Option.

4. Togle the switch for Microsoft defender smartscreen To close it. It will disable Block potentially unwanted apps Also option.

5. If you choose to enable smartscreen, you have to enable manually Block potentially unwanted apps Speciality

How to enable or disable smartscreen using registry editor

You can turn the Windows Defender Smartscreen using the Registry Editor. This method is useful if you cannot access it from the setting app.

1. Press Win + r To open runs.

2. Type Regedit And click Ok To open registry Editor. Click Yes If the UAC is indicated to provide administrative privileges.

3. In the registry editor, navigate in the lower location:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

4. In the right pane, find out Enablesmartscreen Filter value. If the value is not present, you will need to make it manually.

5. To create a new price, right-click System Key and select New> DWORD (32-bit) value.

6. Change the value Enablesmartscreen.

7. Next, right-click Enablesmartscreen Price and select Amended,

8. Type 0 In value data Field and click Ok To save changes.

9. To enable smartscreen filter, type 1 In value data Field and click HeyOf.

10. Close registry Editor And restart your PC to apply changes.

You can carry the registry forward to create a new string value To set a blocked level warn Or blockusing the warn A smartscreen will show a warning with the option to move forward. In contrast, block The option will show a warning and block the app by walking on your computer. How to do this here:

1. Right-click System Choose all and select New> string valueChange the value ShellsmartscrewellNext, right-click Shellsmartscrewell And select Amended,

2. Type warn Or block Depends on what you want Smartscreen level To do. Click Ok To save changes and close the registry editor.

How to turn on or off the smartscreen filter using group policy editor

If you want to manage smartscreen filters for many computers in your organization, you can use a group policy editor to configure, enab or disable smartscreen settings, to ensure frequent security policies in all managed systems.

To configure the Smartscreen filter using GPEDID:

1. Press Win + r to open up run,

2. Type gpedit.msc And click Ok To open Group Policy Editor.

3. Next, navigate the following place in group policy editor:

           Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
       

4. In the right pane, right-click Configure Windows Defender Smartscreen Policy and select edit,

5. Disabled smart screenchoose disabled,

6. If you want to enable Smartscreen, choose Not configured Or Active,

7. Click apply And Ok To save changes.

8. Close the group policy editor and restart your PC.

Smartscreen provides necessary protection against malicious download and fishing sites. For example, you should always be sure to turn on the smartscreen after installing the app to get real-time reputation-based safety from bad apps.