Microsoft uses a SmartScreen feature on Windows 11 and 10 operating systems to protect your computer from malware. Although it is a good feature and helps secure our system, many Windows users feel irritated when the Windows Defender SmartScreen warns the user from launching an unrecognized application by Microsoft Windows. They have to click the More info > Run Anyway option every time. The complete message on the screen is that Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.”
The SmartScreen is a built-in security filter that Windows uses to check every file you download and run against a unique database. If the file is unknown to the database, you will see a warning when you download and run such a file. Windows SmartScreen shows a nag screen with additional confirmation if you try to open it.
Windows SmartScreen guards your browser and computer by preventing you from downloading and running potentially malicious files and programs. While the idea behind Windows SmartScreen is good, there are some issues with it because it often generates false positives, even for safe apps. If the system cannot find any information about the program you try to run, it prevents it from opening by default. The same happens with an application that does not have digitally signed binaries.
Although it is a good feature, not everyone is happy with Microsoft scanning your computer and knowing what apps and files you are using. If you are one of those Windows users who are not satisfied with Windows Defender SmartScreen and want to disable it completely, this gearupwindows article will help you.
How to Disable the Windows Defender SmartScreen via Windows Security?
To turn off the Windows Defender SmartScreen using Windows Security, do the following:-
Step 1. Click the
Step 2. Click the
Step 3. Then, select
Step 4. On the right side, click the link
Step 5. On the following screen, toggle Off the
To enable the Windows Defender SmartScreen, you need to turn On the toggle switch “Check apps and files.”
Click the
How to Turn Off the Windows Defender SmartScreen using Local Group Policy Editor?
To turn off the Windows Defender SmartScreen using Local Group Policy Editor, do the following:-
Step 1. Press
Step 2. Then, type
Step 3. When the Local Group Policy Editor window appears on your PC, navigate to the following path in the left sidebar:-
Computer Configuration > Administrative templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
Step 4. On the right-hand side, double click the policy name, Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen.
Step 5. Select
Step 6. Click
Step 7. Click
Step 8. Finally, reboot your computer for the effects to take place.
How to Disable the Windows Defender SmartScreen via Registry Editor?
To turn off the Windows Defender SmartScreen via Registry Editor, do the following:-
Step 1. Open the Registry Editor.
Step 2. When the Registry Editor window opens, copy and paste the following path in the address bar and hit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
Step 3. Then, right-click on the
Step 4. Name the newly created REG_DWORD as
Step 5. Now, double-click on the
Step 6. Finally, reboot your computer to apply the changes.
That’s it. Now, Windows Defender SmartScreen in Windows 11 or 10 will be disabled.
To enable the Windows Defender SmartScreen in Windows 11 or 10 again, right-click on the
How to Disable SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge?
Windows 11/10 allows managing SmartScreen separately for the operating system and the Edge browser. If you want, you can disable Windows SmartScreen only for Microsoft Edge. To disable Windows SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge, do the following:-
Step 1. Click the
Step 2. Click the
Step 3. Then, select
Step 4. On the right side, click the link
Step 5. On the following screen, toggle Off the
How to Disable SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge using Registry Editor?
To turn off SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge using Registry Editor, do the following:-
Step 1. Open the Registry Editor.
Step 2. When the Registry Editor window opens, copy and paste the following path in the address bar and hit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Edge\SmartScreenEnabled
Step 3. On the right side of the window, double-click the
Step 4. Finally, restart your computer.