What is "SmartScreen" and how to disable it? What is the SmartScreen process for and why does it work on my computer Do I need a smart screen in windows 10

Windows SmartScreen features

When you browse the Internet and use Windows, the Windows SmartScreen Filter checks the sites you visit and the programs you download. If it detects something suspicious or has been reported as dangerous, it displays a warning page. You can then navigate to the page, return to the previous page, and/or provide feedback on the page. The same principle applies to downloads.

It works by comparing the website you are trying to visit (or the program you are trying to download and install) against a list of those that are marked as untrustworthy or downright dangerous. Microsoft maintains this list and recommends that you leave this feature enabled to protect your computer from malware and protect you from targeted phishing attacks. The SmartScreen filter is available on Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1, Windows 10 platforms.

Also, understand that this is not the same technology as a pop-up blocker; the pop-up blocker just looks for pop-ups, but doesn't judge them.

How to disable the SmartScreen filter

A warning. The following steps show you how to disable this feature, but after doing so, you'll be more at risk of catching a virus.

To disable the SmartScreen filter in Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer .
2. Click the Tools button(it looks like a cog or a wheel) and then selectSecurity .
3. Click "Turn off SmartScreen Filter" or " Turn off Windows Defender SmartScreen."
4. Click OK.

To disable the SmartScreen filter in Edge:

If you change your mind, you can enable Windows SmartScreen by repeating these steps and choosing to enable the filter instead of disabling it.

Note. If you disable SmartScreen and get malware on your computer, you may need to manually remove it (unless Windows Defender or your own antivirus software helps).

Be part of the SmartScreen solution

If you find yourself on an untrusted web page when using the Internet Explorer and don't get a warning, you can tell Microsoft about this site. Similarly, if you are warned that a particular web page is dangerous, but you know it is not, you can report it.

Report that the site does not contain threats to users in Internet Explorer:

1. On the warning page, select Additional Information.
2. Click "Report this site is free of threats" .
3. Follow instructions on the site Microsoft Feedback .

Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft operating systems have 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 inexpressible 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 you have appearance different 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 “Change Windows settings SmartScreen" (how far they hid it, probably so that we would suffer and not be able to 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.

1. To warn before executing an unidentified application is to bug us at the first opportunity.
2. 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 immediately warn you that this way possible to use 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 "Explorer" item (it is located in "Computer Configuration" - "Administrative Templates" - "Windows Components"), well, 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 in your work 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.

An ordinary Windows user may not be aware of the existence of the SmartScreen security option on his PC until he encounters a notification on a blue background that this option has blocked the download or launch of the file that the user needs. What is this protective function? How can I turn it off in Windows 10 so that it does not interfere with working on a PC?

SmartScreen filter: how it works and why to disable it

The SmartScreen component of the Windows system performs a protective function on the PC - it blocks the launch and download of suspicious software. Prior to Windows 8, "Smart Screen" was only part of the standard Internet browser explorer. Now it is an important component of the entire system.

This filter works on the basis of a cloud database and a rating of utilities - each program available on the Internet has its own level of trust in accordance with this rating or remains unidentified. If the user wants to download or run a utility (if the file has already been downloaded) that has a low level of trust or if it does not exist at all, SmartScreen blocks the user's action - a blue window appears with a message that the OS has protected the PC.

In this case, the user can still force the system to open or download the file using the "Run anyway" button. However, it happens that the protection works constantly. In this situation, you can disable SmartScreen completely - you can freely download and run the files you need.

At the same time, remember that the PC must have an updated antivirus that will neutralize the threat if the virus still penetrates the PC. If you are in doubt about the source from which you are downloading a file, do not force download it. It is also always recommended to download installers from the official resources of developer companies.

Disable via Security Center Systemwide, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Store

In the Windows Defender interface, you can deactivate the filter for the entire operating system as a whole or separately for the browser Microsoft Edge or Microsoft Store:

1. The Protection Center can be launched through the Windows tray (in other words, the Notification Area), which is located at the bottom right of the Taskbar. Expand it completely - click on the up arrow. Click on the shield icon.
   Find the white shield icon in the Windows tray and click on it.
2. If you did not find the shield in the tray, you can take another method: hold down I and Win to bring up the Windows Settings window. If the combination did not work, go to the Start menu and click on the gear above the key to turn off the PC.
   Click on the "Settings" button in the "Start" menu
3. Click on the Update & Security panel.
   In "Settings" open the section "Update and security"
4. In the second tab on the left "Windows Security" click on the big gray button to launch the center.
   In the second tab, click on the button "Open Defender Security Center"
5. In the very center, we immediately go to the block for setting up application and browser management. In the "Scan applications and files" section, set the value to "Off".
   Disable the "Verify applications and files" option
6. Scroll down the page a little. We also set the round marks to the left of the shutdown item for the Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Store options.
   Set everywhere to "Off"

Making changes in the "Registry Editor" Windows 10

This method will allow you to disable the protective option, but only for the entire system, and not for its individual components. Editing the registry is a rather unsafe procedure, so let's take precautions before it:

1. We launch the editor: click on Win and R, inside the "Run" window, enter the regedit key. For the system to execute the command, click OK.
   In the Run window, type regedit and click OK
2. In gray blue system window we let the system know that we allow the built-in utility to change the parameters of the "OS".
   Click Yes to allow the editor to make changes to the device
3. First, let's take all security measures: click on "File", and then on "Export".
   Click on "Export" to save backup registry
4. We choose a place to save the file - a backup copy of the registry. We can use it to restore the state of the registry in case of errors after making changes. We give the file a capacious and understandable name - we save and remember the location.
   Save a copy of the registry in a convenient location
5. On the left narrower panel, open the third HKLM catalog.
   Open the third HKLM folder
6. Now go to the subfolders: SOFTWARE - Policies - Microsoft - Windows - System.
   Open the System directory
7. The contents of the System folder will be in the right part of the window - right-click on the empty white field. Move the arrow to the "Create" task. We create a DWORD entry, even if you have a 64-bit system.
   Create a DWORD Value
8. Now we call our new entry EnableSmartScreen.
   Name the entry EnableSmartScreen
9. Let's check what value it has - double-click on the entry. The gray box should be 0.
   Put the value 0 in the corresponding field
10. We close the editor window and all programs in general - we restart the PC to save all changes. After that, SmartScreen will stop working.

Stop SmartScreen in "Local Group Policy Editor"

This method is only suitable for the “tens” options “Corporate” (Enterprise) or Professional (Professional):

1. Again, launch the "Run" window through R and Win. This time we enter the code gpedit.msc - click on OK.
   In the "Open" field, write gpedit.msc
2. In any of the areas of the editor, open the block with computer configurations.
   Open the "Computer Configuration" section
3. Now we go sequentially to the following sections: "Administrative Templates" - "Windows Components" - "Windows Defender SmartScreen".
   Open the "Windows Defender SmartScreen" folder
4. In the folder dedicated to SmartScreen, double-click on Explorer to deactivate the component for the entire Windows system as a whole.
   Launch the first Explorer folder
5. Open the first policy to configure the component.
   Open the first option to configure the filter
6. Set the value to "Disabled" and apply the change through the key at the bottom of the gray window.
   Set to "Disabled" and save changes
7. We do the same for the setting in the Microsoft Edge folder. SmartScreen must be disabled immediately. In some cases, you will need to restart your PC.

If you have a build lower than 1703, you can find the option to configure SmartSceen in a different directory in the "Local Group Policy Editor":

Disabling the SmartScreen filter in the Windows 10 Control Panel

This deactivation method is only relevant for versions of Windows 10 below 1703 Creators Update. If you have the option above, you simply cannot find some sections on the Control Panel, because they will not be there. To view the build version, hold down Win and R, and in the Run box, type winver. As a result, a gray window will appear with the OS version number.

If this disable option suits you, follow these steps:

If you find that on the "Control Panel" all the "Smart Screen" settings are unclickable and gray, use the "Registry Editor" or "Local Group Policy Editor".

Disable in the default Microsoft Edge browser

If you need to deactivate the protection option specifically for the classic Microsoft Edge browser, go to its settings:

1. We launch a standard browser from Microsoft - we use either a shortcut on the Desktop or the Start menu.
   Click on Microsoft Edge in the Start Menu
2. There will be an ellipsis icon in the right pane of the browser. We click on it.
   Click on the three dots on the right side of the window
3. In the menu, click on the last line "Options".
   In the menu, select the last item "Options"
4. Scroll to the bottom of the list again and click on the button to display additional settings. Click on the "View Extras" button. parameters"
5. We go down again and find the parameter for SmartScreen settings. Set the switch to the "Off" position. - it will immediately turn pale.
   Enable or disable the filter using the last advanced option in the menu

Disable URL Validation for Windows 10 Store Apps

The filter separately checks the addresses accessed by Windows 10 applications, so errors can often occur in the operation of these programs. To bypass them, deactivate URL scanning:

Video: how to disable SmartScreen in the top ten in different ways

How to prevent the system from sending messages about the need to re-enable the SmartScreen filter

This solution is only relevant for Windows versions lower than 1703. If you have a higher version, you will not be able to disable messages, unfortunately. Follow this little guide:

We use a third-party program Dism ++

In addition to the built-in Windows tools, third-party utilities can be used to deactivate the protective function. One of these is Dism++ from the Chuyu Team developer company. In it, you can change many settings of the "OS". Its interface has been translated into Russian and is conveniently arranged - even a beginner can figure it out. It is, however, free. Where to download it and how to use it, we will tell you in a short and understandable instruction:

In the program window, immediately launch the PC optimization block.
Go to the "Optimization" section

Click on the third menu "Security Settings".
Click on the switch corresponding to the "Turn off SmartScreen" option

Find the third line "Turn off SmartScreen" - move the switch to the "On" position so that it turns not gray, but blue. Close the program - now "Smart Screen" will no longer bother you with blocking messages.
When the option is activated, close the program window

You can only deactivate SmartScreen and open unknown files downloaded from the network if you are sure that they are safe. Otherwise, you risk infecting your PC with a virus. Disabling is possible for the entire system as a whole - through the "Registry Editor", "Security Center", "Control Panel", "Local Group Policy Editor" or a special third party utility Dism++. Please note that you need to choose a method based on the version of the "dozens" and its assembly. If you want to turn off the filter for Microsoft Edge only, go to the settings in its interface.

Read about what is "Windows Defender SmartScreen", how much it uses PC resources and how to disable it. Windows Defender SmartScreen helps protect your computer from malware downloaded from the Internet and malicious websites. The "SmartScreen" process with the file name "smartscreen.exe", which can be found in the task manager, is responsible for this function.

So what is the "SmartScreen" process and what exactly does it do?

Process "Smart Screen" was added back in Windows 8, and with each update, it is constantly improving in Windows 10. Every time you run a program or file, "Smart Screen" scans them for presence in the database Microsoft. If the file was previously added to the database as safe (for example, if you run the installer « Google Chrome» or iTunes) then this program will not be blocked. If given file was previously marked as malicious, then "Smart Screen" will block it from running. If a certain file is not found in the database Microsoft, then "Smart Screen" will prevent the given file from running and will issue a warning to you. And it will give you the opportunity to decide whether to run this file or program at your own peril and risk, or not.

This service is also used in the browser "Microsoft Edge" and application "Microsoft Store", to block malicious or unwanted web content. Nevertheless, "Smart Screen" in the operating room Windows system 10, constantly checks downloaded data from the Internet, no matter what browser or download software you use. It works great with any modern browsers like Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox etc., constantly scanning data, both during normal web surfing and when downloading any content.

Process "Smart Screen" is another layer of security in addition to the standard "Windows Defender", which is running as an executable service process antimalware on your PC. Having a security system with multiple levels helps to better protect your computer. Even if you use any other antivirus program and web browser with its own anti-malware features.

How much does it use PC resources?

In most cases, the process "Smart Screen" runs in the background and uses almost no resources personal computer. How much exactly the process consumes can be found in "Task Manager", it uses almost no resources CPU(0%), and takes only a few megabytes random access memory(RAM - 4.3 MB). Windows can automatically close this process when it is not in use, so sometimes you will not be able to find it in "Task Manager".

However, if the OS has enabled "Smart Screen", and you download or launch a new application or file, it will resume and scan the data. The operating system will automatically launch it if it was unloaded earlier, and then you can see exactly how much processor and RAM resources it requires to work. Insofar as, "Smart Screen" calculates "hash data" file, sends this data to the server Microsoft and waits for a response to see if the file is safe or not. If it is safe, then the system runs the application or file normally.

Filter "Smart Screen" used in conjunction with normal antivirus checks that are performed by the executable file process antimalware if you use "Windows Defender" by default as your antivirus program.

In any case, the amount of CPU and RAM resources used should be quite low, and the entire process of running this service should be very fast and almost imperceptible to users. At the same time, scanning large files takes more time than smaller ones. Such a check is performed only at the first launch of the downloaded program or at the first access to the file, it will not be repeated and, accordingly, PC resources will not be consumed.

Is it possible to disable "SmartScreen"?

The operating system will not give you the option to completely disable the process "Smart Screen". Even if you complete the job "Smart Screen" on Windows, the process will still restart automatically when you log in again operating system. At the same time, we do not recommend shutting it down, as it practically does not use computer resources. But, if necessary, you can forcefully terminate this process in "Task Manager".

Also, it cannot be prevented from restarting again and using CPU and RAM resources in the background.

"Smart Screen" is an extremely useful system security feature, another layer of protection for your PC from malware. Even if you use software security from third-party developers, then "Smart Screen" will be another layer of protection, while not interfering with the work of your antivirus. In addition, database files Microsoft are updated quite quickly and, perhaps, this function will be able to protect the computer even before the databases of your antivirus are updated.

However, to disable the filter "Smart Screen" on Windows 10, go to "Start" – > "Parameters" – > "Update and Security" – > "Windows Defender". Next, click on the button "Open Windows Defender Security Center".

Could it be a virus?

At this point in time, I have not seen information on the net that any malware is disguised as a process "Smart Screen" or "smartscreen.exe". It is built-in Windows feature 10 and helps just protect your computer from malware. Every day new viruses, trojans, bots and all kinds of network worms appear on the Internet. It is quite possible that someday a virus will appear, which will be presented to the system as a process "Smart Screen". If you're concerned that your PC might have malware, then it's always a good idea to run a full system scan with your antivirus program to make sure everything is fine with your system.

“Windows Smartscreen” is a useful built-in feature that serves to keep your computer safe. Smartscreen turns on automatically, simultaneously with the system, some users do not even always know about its existence. This filter collects data about all applications installed on your computer.

When an unidentified program that you have downloaded from the Internet is launched, the smartscreen warns of a possible threat. Sometimes the filter fails and runs when it is not needed. There are times when the launch of programs that are unsafe, according to the smartscreen, is simply necessary for the user. If there is no Internet connection, the filter cannot connect to the required server, because it does not start - this is the most common reason why users try to disable it. If you have a modern antivirus installed, the need for a smartscreen raises some doubts. Before turning off the filter, analyze all the pros and cons of this procedure, and also assess the degree of its necessity.

If you don't know how to disable Windows Smartscreen, read our article.

There are several ways to disable Windows smartscreen. The most convenient, in our opinion, is disabling the filter at the system level, using the control panel. However, you must remember that you must have Administrator rights to perform the following steps.

As you can see, turning off the smartscreen is not difficult, you can easily cope with this task.

If you are wondering how to disable the smartscreen filter in Windows 7, then don't worry, this procedure is not much different from the previous option. For a change, let's try to do it the other way.

On the menu "Start" choose an item "Run". In the line, type the command msconfig, click "OK".

Then, in the window that appears, open the tab. In the list of processes, find smartscreen, uncheck it. The process ends with the push of a button. “Run”.

Now that you know how to disable the smartscreen filter, it is recommended that you run an antivirus to protect your computer. Also, you should be more careful about the programs that you download from the Internet.

To ensure the launch of a new application or program, you do not need to know how to disable smartscreen windows 8. If you downloaded a program from a reliable source, you are sure that it is safe, and the filter still prevented it from starting - just click the button "More".

Next, choose an option "Run anyway" and the program will start. In the event that you still want this message not to appear in the future, you want to know how to disable the smartscreen filter in Windows 8 - follow the instructions below.

1. Find "Support Center" tab "Control Panel".
2. On the left in the new window, select .
3. Next, check the option that suits you. To completely turn off the program, the last item must be checked. Click OK - you're done.

After disabling the filter, do not download programs on suspicious sites, turn on the antivirus.

This version of the OS also has a smartscreen. How to disable in Windows 8.1 - read on. Open the control panel. If in the tab "View" choice on option "Categories"- set it to "Badges". Choose an item "Support Center". A window has opened, on the right, find "Change Windows smartscreen settings". Check the third option. This filter is now disabled on your computer. Don't forget to turn on the smartscreen later if this measure was taken to run one or more programs.

Before deciding on such radical measures as forcibly disabling the smartscreen filter in Windows 8.1, we recommend that you carefully understand what it is and what it is for. Remember that by disabling the filter, you worsen the security of your computer.