How to Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web in Windows 10


Starting with Windows 10 version 2004Windows Defender SmartScreen as been renamed to Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen helps keep your PC safe by checking downloaded files and web content within apps to help protect you from malicious software and potentially unsafe web content. Before an unknown or potentially unsafe downloaded file is openedWindows will display a warning. If SmartScreen detects potentially unsafe web content in an appWindows will display a warning in place of the content.

If an app has been blocked by Microsoft Defender SmartScreenyou can unblock it to open it if you trust it.

See also:

• Microsoft Defender SmartScreen | Microsoft Docs
• Set up and use Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on individual devices | Microsoft Docs
• What is SmartScreen and how can it help protect me? | Microsoft Support

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for apps and files from the web for all users in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to change Microsoft Defender SmartScreen settings.

Turning off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen can make your PC more vulnerable to security threats.

Contents

• Option One: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web in Windows Security
• Option Two: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web using a REG file
• Option Three: Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web in Local Group Policy Editor
• Option Four: Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web using a REG file

EXAMPLE: Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warning

OPTION ONE

Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web in Windows Security

1 Open Windows Securityand click/tap on the App & browser control icon.

2 If you are running a Windows Insiders build of Windows 10click/tap on the Reputation-based protection settings link. (see screenshot below)

3 Turn on default) or off Check apps and files for what you want to set. (see screenshots below)

4 Click/tap on Yes when prompted by UAC to confirm.

5 You can now close Windows Security if you like.

OPTION TWO

Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web using a REG file

The downloadable .reg files below will modify the string value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

SmartScreenEnabled String Value

Warn = On. Warn before running an unrecognized app
Off = Don't do anything

1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you want to set.

 2. To Turn On Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file belowand go to step 4 below.

Set_SmartScreen_to_Warn.reg

Download

 3. To Turn Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file belowand go to step 4 below.

Turn_SmartScreen_Off.reg

Download

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When promptedclick/tap on RunYes (UAC)Yesand OK to approve the merge.

7 When finishedyou can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION THREE

Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web in Local Group Policy Editor

If enabled of disabledthis option will override and gray out Option One and Option Two.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 ProEnterpriseand Education editions.

All editions can use Option Four below to set this policy.

1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2 In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editornavigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/File Explorer

3 In the right pane of File Explorer in Local Group Policy Editordouble click/tap on the Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable - block)step 6 (enable - warn)step 7 (disable)or step 8 (default) below for what you would like to do.

 5. To Enable SmartScreen to Block Apps and Files from Web

A) Select (dot) Enabledselect Warn and prevent bypass in the Options drop menuclick/tap on OKand go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)

 6. To Enable SmartScreen to Warn for Apps and Files from Web

A) Select (dot) Enabledselect Warn in the Options drop menuclick/tap on OKand go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)

 7. To Disable SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web

A) Select (dot) Disabledclick/tap on OKand go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)

 8. Default SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web

A) Select (dot) Not Configuredclick/tap on OKand go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)

9 When finishedyou can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.

OPTION FOUR

Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web using a REG file

If enabled of disabledthis option will override and gray out Option One and Option Two.

The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD and string value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

EnableSmartScreen DWORD

(delete) = default
1 = Enable
0 = Disable

ShellSmartScreenLevel string value

(delete) = default
Block = Warn and prevent bypass
Warn = Warn

1 Do step 2 (enable - block)step 3 (enable - warn)step 4 (disable)or step 5 (default) below for what you would like to do.

 2. To Enable SmartScreen to Block Apps and Files from Web

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file belowand go to step 6 below.

Enable_SmartScreen_to_Block_Apps_and_Files_from_Web.reg

Download

 3. To Enable SmartScreen to Warn for Apps and Files from Web

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file belowand go to step 6 below.

Enable_SmartScreen_to_Warn_Apps_and_Files_from_Web.reg

Download

 4. To Disable SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file belowand go to step 6 below.

Disable_SmartScreen_for_Apps_and_Files_from_Web.reg

Download

 5. Default SmartScreen for Apps and Files from Web

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file belowand go to step 6 below.

Default_Not_Configured_SmartScreen_for_Apps_and_Files_from_Web.reg

Download

6 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

7 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

8 When promptedclick/tap on RunYes (UAC)Yesand OK to approve the merge.

9 When finishedyou can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

That's it,
Shawn

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