If you want to download files from the Internet without restrictions, install programs and open any pages, then you need to be aware of how to disable SmartScreen in Windows 10. This is built into operating system a filter that protects against unwanted and dangerous content.
How it works
When you try to download and install a program, the service sends its identifier to the Microsoft server, where the digital signature is verified against databases. As a result, a verdict is issued: is the program safe or not. The service also checks:
- site pages for content - suspicious content is blocked;
- the presence of a resource in the list of phishing sites and its blocking if a match is found;
- checking the security of the downloaded file based on the download histories of other users.
Such vigorous activity leads to a ban on opening a page or site, downloading a file or installing software. Not every user uses legitimate programs, so from time to time you have to look for an answer to the question: SmartScreen in Windows 10 - what is it and how to remove it.
There are several options to disable the filter for the entire computer as a whole, and you can also disable it separately for MS Edge and the Store app. Next, we will tell you in detail how to disable Windows SmartScreen in Windows 10.
Defender
You can uninstall SmartScreen in Windows 10 in the Defender Security Center.
- From the main menu, select the option to access PC settings.
- Go to the security and updates section.
- Click on the link "Safety…".
- Go to section "App and Browser Management".
- For each option, set the value "Turn off". Pay attention to warnings. What you have done does not add security to your PC, as completely disabling the SmartScreen filter in Windows 10 means that there will be no protection and there is a high risk of computer infection.
How to enable the SmartScreen filter in Windows 10 is obvious - the reverse steps will allow you to run the active content scan again. If you are not connected to the Internet while the protection is running and you are trying to install a new program, a message will appear that the SmartScreen filter is not currently available in Windows 10. If you want it to work without interruptions, ensure a stable connection. Without communication, this method of protection is useless. If you need, we advise you to read another article on our website, where we describe this process in detail.
Registry Editor
Developers do not recommend making settings on their own, but not all services have a graphical interface. Despite the fact that you can turn off SmartScreen on Windows 10 in the window in the usual way, additional information can be useful.
- Hold [ WIN ] + [ R ] and type regedit .
- Sequentially click Computer \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
- Using the Edit menu, make a new parameter of type DWORD (32 bits).
- Name it EnableSmartScreen .
- Change the values by right-clicking on the line and selecting "Change". Specify 0.
Save the changes and restart your computer.
Please note: If you need to know, follow the link provided and read the related article.
Policy editor
There is another way to disable SmartScreen in Windows 10 in professional and enterprise editions.
- +[R] and gpedit.msc .
- Click one by one the following links: Computer Configuration - Administrative Templates - Windows Components - Explorer.
- Highlight "Set up SmartScreen feature..."
- Double-click on the field value of the column "Status".
- Select "Disabled" .
- Save and restart your PC.
If you are interested to know, follow the link and read our other article.
How to disable the filter for Microsoft Edge
This can be done in the policy editor by selecting the appropriate item and changing the filter function parameter in the same way.
Or go directly to the “Defender SmartScreen…” branch and disable the option for Edge and Explorer there.
This article shows different ways you can disable or change the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter settings in Windows 10 operating system
The Windows Defender SmartScreen feature helps protect your PC by warning users before running unrecognized programs and files downloaded from the Internet. This warning is presented as an embedded dialog shown before launching an application downloaded from the Internet that is not recognized or known to be malicious. The dialog box is not displayed for applications that are not suspicious.
Windows Defender SmartScreen is based on a cloud-based rating system that checks every file you download. If a file is marked as unsafe or it is not in the database, then its loading or execution is blocked.
Verification is carried out at several stages. If you are using a browser Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, the filter is triggered when you try to download an unknown file. In this case, the download is interrupted, and a corresponding warning is displayed to the user.
If the file has already been downloaded using another browser (for example, Firefox, Chrome, Opera), then the filter is triggered when you try to run the file for execution. In this case, you have a choice - to refuse to launch or execute in any case.
Smart Screen Filter Windows Defender transmits information about all downloaded and installed applications to Microsoft servers. This is necessary to replenish the application database and rank them.
Windows Defender SmartScreen is enabled by default, but you can change its settings or disable it completely if needed.
How to disable the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter in the GUI
If necessary, you can change the settings or completely disable the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter using the graphical interface of the operating system, namely the interface of the Windows Security service
To disable or change Windows Defender SmartScreen filter settings and select App/browser control
To disable scanning of applications and files downloaded from the Internet by the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter, in the section Checking apps and files
To disable the SmartScreen filter for the Microsoft Edge browser, see SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge set the switch to Off
You can also disable the SmartScreen filter for the Microsoft Edge browser directly in the settings of the Edge browser itself, read about this below in the section
To disable the SmartScreen filter for apps from the Microsoft Store, see SmartScreen for apps from the Microsoft Store set the switch to Off
How to disable or change Windows Defender SmartScreen filter settings in the Local Group Policy Editor
Local Group Policy Editor is available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education editions
To disable (enable) or change the settings of the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter, open the local group policy editor, to do this, press + R, in the window that opens, enter gpedit.msc and press the key Enter↵
In the Local Group Policy Editor window that opens, expand the following list items:
Computer Configuration ➯ Administrative Templates ➯ Windows Components ➯ File Explorer
Customize the Windows Defender SmartScreen feature to disable Windows Defender SmartScreen, select the switch to Disabled and click OK
To enable Windows Defender SmartScreen, set the toggle to Not configured and click OK
To change Windows Defender SmartScreen settings, set the toggle to Enabled, then in the drop-down list Choose one of the following options: select or Warn and press the OK button
When you enable a policy with the setting Warn and prevent bypass, the SmartScreen dialog box will not give the user the option to ignore the warning and run the application. SmartScreen will continue to display the warning on subsequent attempts to launch the application.
If the policy is enabled with the Warn option, the SmartScreen feature dialog will warn the user that the application appears to be suspicious, but will still allow the user to ignore the warning and run the application. The SmartScreen feature will no longer display a warning to the user for this application if they instruct SmartScreen to launch the application.
Please note that when using group policies, the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter setting from the GUI becomes unavailable.
How to disable or enable the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter using a registry file
This method also allows you to disable or enable the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter by modifying the
Before making any changes to the registry, highly recommended or export the registry key in which changes will be made directly.All changes made in the registry editor are displayed below in the registry file listings.
To disable the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter, read the following:
"SmartScreenEnabled"="Off"
To enable the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter, read the following:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
"SmartScreenEnabled"="Warn"
How to disable Windows Defender SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge browser
To disable Windows Defender SmartScreen in the Microsoft Edge browser, open the browser settings menu, to do this, in the upper right corner of the browser window, click the button or press ALT + X , in the side menu that opens, select Options
Then select the tab Privacy & Security and in the Security section check the radio button Windows Defender SmartScreen to the off position.
How to disable the Windows Defender SmartScreen filter in Internet Explorer
To disable Windows Defender SmartScreen in Internet Explorer, open the browser settings menu, to do this, in the upper right corner of the browser window, click the button or press ALT + X , in the menu that opens, select Security > Disable Windows Defender SmartScreen Filter…
In the "Microsoft Windows Defender SmartScreen" window that opens, select Disable Windows Defender SmartScreen Filter and click OK
In operating systems from Microsoft, starting with Windows 8, there is such a technology that, in theory, should protect us from malicious software, but in practice, malware passes - but this same SmartScreen can significantly add problems to us. In such cases, a natural question is brewing, but in fact, how to disable SmartScreen in Windows 10? In this note, we will look at four proven methods that will save you from this occasions.
If you look into this issue, it turns out that SmartScreen is a new technology from Microsoft that scans downloaded information from the Internet, and blocks it if there is the slightest doubt about its origin. On the one hand, the service is useful, but the number of false positives just rolls over and I don’t see much practical sense in it (especially if you use a high-quality commercial antivirus). What is the annoying message that the service is temporarily unavailable - if you do not have an Internet connection, Windows cannot check the program and constantly notifies you about it, which is unspeakable infuriates.
How to disable SmartScreen via Control Panel in Windows 10
The simplest, and probably familiar to everyone, option is to disable the SmartScreen filter using the Control Panel. To get there, in Windows 10 you need to click the "Start" button and select the item you are looking for there. (The easiest way is to start typing what interests you, in which case it will appear in the search results - be sure to try it, it's incredibly convenient)
In the Control Panel, select System and Security. Please note, if your appearance differs from the picture below and you cannot find the item you need - check that the "Category" option is selected in the "View" line
... and we get to the cherished item “Changing Windows SmartScreen settings” (how far it was hidden, probably so that we would suffer and could not find it)
Here we have a small choice (before, by the way, there were as many as three options, but now it either works or not - there is no third)
The window tells us that the SmartScreen filter protects us and they say, choose from two options, which is more suitable for you.
- To warn before executing an unidentified application is to bug us at the first opportunity.
- Do nothing (disable Windows SmartScreen) - this will allow us to work normally and calmly run any applications without being paranoid (but if you download a program of unknown origin and you do not have an antivirus, then no offense)
Most likely, this method will be quite enough for you - as you can see, all problems are solved with a few mouse clicks.
Disable SmartScreen via Group Policy
I warn you right away that this method can be used only in professional edition of Windows 10 , for home languages and for one language, this option is not applicable. To disable the filter, we need to open the "Local Group Policy Editor", this is done by calling the "Run" window (by keyboard shortcut Windows + R) and then entering the gpedit.msc command
On the left side of the local group policy editor, find the item "Explorer" (it is located in "Computer Configuration" - "Administrative Templates" - "Windows Components"), but in the adjacent, right side of the window, find the item "Configure Windows SmartScreen"
At first glance, everything is simple here, but this is only a cursory examination - carefully read the help, which I see no reason to publish. If you select the item "Disabled" - by this we do not turn off SmartScreen , but we give the opportunity to do this through the control panel. You need to select the "Enabled" option and check the "Disable SmartScreen" option. Click "OK" and enjoy life.
Again, please note that this method only works on Windows 10 Professional, on the home version you will not be able to open the Local Group Policy Editor. Of course, this feature can be added, but without modifying the OS, this is impossible.
Disable SmartScreen for Windows 10 Store Apps
Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft added the App Store. So, you can disable SmartScreen specifically for applications from the Store, without disabling it completely. I don’t know who it might be useful to, but since there is such an opportunity, it should be considered.
Open the "Start" menu, go to "Settings" - "Privacy". On the left side, select the "General" option and move the slider to the "Off" position on the right side in the line that is responsible for the SmartScreen filter
There is another way that the Windows Registry Editor uses, but I doubt its convenience and see no reason to talk about it in detail - let's not create unnecessary problems for ourselves.
Disable SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge browser
If you, despite numerous reviews, prefer to use the latest browser from Microsoft - EDGE, then the SmartScreen filter can be disabled specifically for it. To do this, in the program menu, go to "Options"
Scroll to the very bottom and look for “Show advanced options” there, scroll down again to the very bottom and find the item we need “Help protect your computer from malicious sites and downloads using the SmartScreen filter”. We move the slider to the "Off" position and on this our quest with the search for a place to turn off the filter can be considered passed.
Well, here we are with you and figured out how to disable SmartScreen in Windows 10. Whatever raw it was not, but if possible, if you are not an advanced user, do not disable it. It is worth ignoring it if you are sure of those programs and applications that the SmartScreen filter does not allow you to run. In my practice, the filter creates huge problems when installing programs that have not been updated for a long time and have long been forgotten by developers ... do not forget that even in the absence of an Internet connection (and in Russia this is not so rare) The SmartScreen filter constantly tries to check applications and writes an error connecting to the server, which can be very annoying.
SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10, as in Windows 8, protects the system from web attacks such as phishing and downloads of potentially dangerous and malicious software. This filter is built into the operating system and Microsoft browsers: Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11.
This filter is based on Microsoft's cloud rating system, which collects information about all downloaded executable files (application reputation filter) and visited files (URL reputation filter). Information about the site or file is analyzed and compared with existing list malicious sites and files. If a file is marked as unsafe, or it is not in the rating system, its download or execution is blocked by the SmartScreen filter.
Thus, when trying to download an unknown file using the IE or Edge browser, its download may be blocked, and the user is warned by a notification.
This unsafe download blocked by SmartScreen Filter.
If an executable file was downloaded using an alternative browser and copied to a Windows 10 computer over the network, the filter will work when trying to run such a file and its execution will be blocked.
Note. One of the disadvantages of the SmartScreen filter is that it blocks most applications that are not digitally signed.
The SmartScreen filter in Windows 10 is enabled by default, but an administrator can change its settings or disable it completely. You can enable and disable the filter separately for each of the system components: Windows, IE, Microsoft Edge, and the Windows Store. Let's see how to change the SmartScreen filter settings.
Important. To ensure the security of your PC, it is not recommended to completely disable SmartScreen.
Disable SmartScreen from the Windows Control Panel
To change filter settings, open the Classic Control Panel ( Win+R -> control) and go to the section Security and maintenance. Click on the button in the left column Change Windows SmartScreen Settings.
The following options are available:
- Get administrator approval before running an unrecognized application from the Internet recommended)– Ask for administrator approval before launching an unrecognized application from the Internet (recommended)
- Warm before running an unrecognized app, but don't require administrator approval– Warn before executing an unrecognized application, but do not require administrator approval
- Don't do anything (Turn off smartScreen)- do nothing (disable Windows SmartScreen)
After disabling the SmartScreen system filter, a notification appears periodically asking you to enable it.
To hide these notifications, click on the link Turn off messages about Windows SmartScreen.
Configuring SmartScreen using Group Policy
You can also configure SmartScreen settings in Windows 10 using Group Policies. If you are setting local computer, open the Local Group Policy Editor (Console) by clicking Win+R-> gpedit.msc. Go to section Computer configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> File Explorer and find a policy Configure Windows SmartScreen.
Enable the policy and select one of the modes:
- Require approval from an administrator before running downloaded unknown software– require administrator approval before executing downloaded unknown software
- Give user a warning before running downloaded unknown software– warn the user before executing downloaded unknown software
- Turn off SmartScreen- disable smartscreen
Click OK, and to apply the policy changes, run the command:
Advice. If the SmartScreen filter operation mode is set via group policies, its settings cannot be changed via the control panel.
Configuring SmartScreen via the Registry
SmartScreen filter settings can be defined in the system registry. To do this, run regedit.exe and go to branch HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer. Find a key named SmartScreenEnabled.
Its value can be one of the following:
- RequireAdmin- Require admin confirmation
- Prompt- ask for user confirmation
- Off- disable
Select the desired filter mode and restart your computer.
SmartScreen in the Windows Store
The SmartScreen filter also analyzes the addresses of websites accessed by modern Windows applications (Modern Apps). In some cases it may block network access some applications. To prevent this from happening, you can disable applying the filter to modern Windows applications store.
Go to Settings (Win+I) -> privacy -> General. Find and turn off the switch Turn on SmartScreen Filter to check web content (URLs) that Windows Store apps use.
The same can be configured through the registry. For this, in the thread HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ you need to create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named EnableWebContentEvaluation and meaning 0 .
Smart Screen in Microsoft Edge browser
The Microsoft Edge browser also has a separate SmartScreen filter setting. To turn it off, go to Preferences(button in the upper right corner of the browser).
Press advanced settings and disable the option Help protect me from malicious sites and downloads with SmartScreen Filter.
The same operation through the registry is performed by creating a DWORD value named EnabledV9 and value 0 in branch HCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge\PhishingFilter .
Smart Screen Filter in Internet Explorer
In Internet Explorer, you can disable the SmartScreen filter like this:
- Launch Internet Explorer
- Click on the gear in the upper right corner and expand the section Safety
- Click on the menu item Turn Off SmartScreen
- Select Turn off SmartScreen Filter.
To disable the SmartScreen filter in Internet Explorer through the registry, run the following command:
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\PhishingFilter" /v EnabledV9 /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
So, in this article, we looked at the basic techniques for managing SmartScreen filter settings in Windows 10.
I am sure that 90% of ordinary computer users have no idea what Windows Defender SmartScreen Filter what it is for, how it works and how to turn it off.
You don’t have to go far - just a couple of days ago I wrote about the purpose and principle of operation of the smart screen filter in the comments to the next new review of a free interesting computer program.
That is why I decided to enlighten my site readers in this regard, so that you do not panic and stop being nervous in vain when a “terrible” warning appears before installing any software on your computer - “Windows Defender SmartScreen filter prevented the launch of an unidentified application that could put your computer at risk. "...
What is Windows Defender SmartScreen Filter
I must say right away that the SmartScreen filter is not an antivirus and it does not detect malware at all! Many readers are now struck by such a statement, but it is a harsh fact.
This is just a preventive computer protection tool based on online verification of program installers, downloaded files and sites we visit on the Internet with such a Microsoft database collected on the basis of user reviews, and not on the work of anti-virus algorithms and their detection of viruses by signatures.
Of course, I didn’t come up with it myself or some Vasya Pupkin - the support of the corporation writes about it, for example, here ...
... "checks ... files against a list of ... files, downloaded by many Internet Explorer users"- and if no one has downloaded my file through this misunderstanding, the Internet Explorer browser? No comment…
Windows Defender SmartScreen - Do I need it?
Let's simulate the situation - you downloaded some installation file of an interesting program from the official site, after reading a lot of positive reviews about this software before that and trying to install it into the operating system, and Smart Screen shows you a warning that he knows nothing about this installer.
You, like most users in a similar situation, simply click on "More" ...
The program does absolutely no harm to your computer, even after a long time - do you report this to Microsoft? Of course not! You need it, don't you? So how does the filter know about the harmlessness of the file?
We add to the dubious definition of threats a slowdown in the launch of program installers or the opening of a downloaded file, extra outgoing and incoming traffic, the load (albeit minimal) on the processor and RAM, and we independently conclude that this SmartScreen filter needs to work in your computer.
Naturally, you want to hear my personal opinion whether SmartScreen is needed, based on many years of experience of actively surfing the Internet and daily installation, often dubious, of various computer programs for testing before their reviews.
So, when a warning from Smart Screen appeared, I ALWAYS pressed the “Run anyway” button and one day a natural question arose - why do I need it at all? Of course, I turned it off and ... as expected - nothing terrible happened, absolutely. My computer is not teeming with viruses, oddly enough, and also it, even though it is a hundred years old at lunchtime.
In addition to all of the above - each is correct and in any case scans (checks) everything you download, install and visit. Everyone joins this process with their protective scanners and screens. Let's not forget about.
Let's summarize SmartScreen in a nutshell:
- does not detect viruses
- creates extra Internet traffic and load on the processor with RAM
- slows down the first launch of programs, opening files and displaying sites in the browser
- duplicates one of the functions of almost any antivirus and firewall
- really irritates users with meaningless warnings
- does not perform its function without the Internet
In no way am I forcing or persuading you to stop using Windows Defender SmartScreen - everyone has their own head on their shoulders.
How to disable SmartScreen in Windows 10
If you enter the name of the hero of this article into the search box of your favorite Internet browser, you will immediately see users' opinions about him in the "sheet" of the issue - almost all answers will be devoted to the question "how to disable SmartScreen".
Previously, before the release of the latest update package at the moment, in order to disable the SmartScreen filter, you had to “wander” to different places in the operating system - the built-in browser, the control panel, the Windows store, and even sometimes in system registry look in.
Now, thank God, all the SmartScreen filter "disablers" are in one place. If you use the built-in Windows Defender to protect your computer, like I do at the moment, then just click on its tray icon, and in the window that appears, go to the "Application / Browser Control" category, where we disable the SmartScreen filter in three sections ...
You can also access these items from the start menu or through Settings / Update and Security ...
This way you can disable SmartScreen in Windows 10, but get a very small inconvenience as a result - a permanent exclamation point in a yellow triangle on the icon of the built-in antivirus ...
... and you can "overlook" other secondary warnings of the defender.
After the article was published, one of the readers of the site (Arseniy) suggested how to get rid of this problem - you just need to click on "Close" after disabling the filter...
Disable SmartScreen in Windows 7
In old Windows 7, the SmartScreen filter is disabled a little differently. I do not have this version of the system, due to its antiquity, in my three home computers and therefore I will use the help of an unknown user from the Internet ...
USEFUL VIDEO
In addition, the SmartScreen filter in Windows 7 must also be disabled in the built-in system browser, if you use it, along the path "Security" or "Service" - "SmartScreen Filter" - "Disable SmartScreen Filter" ...
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