SmartScreen - what is it? Change settings and turn off SmartScreen. What is "SmartScreen" and how to disable it? Do I need a smart screen in windows 10

SmartScreen is a security feature that was introduced in Internet Explorer 8 to protect against malicious websites. In Windows 8.1, it was integrated into the desktop. This tool warns the user before launching unrecognized applications from the Internet that could potentially be unsafe. SmartScreen is now present in Windows 10.

When it comes to downloading and installing apps, you need to know what is safe and what is not. True, not all computer users have the proper experience and knowledge in this matter. Thus, if you are one of the first, then the constantly flickering SmartScreen can be annoying.

Important note! If you're new to the Windows 10 plan, then don't disable SmartScreen. It will protect you from installing malware software. In addition, Microsoft has improved this filter by integrating it into Edge browsers and Internet Explorer 11.

The screenshot below shows the direct intervention of the filter. When starting the installation of an unknown application or program, you need to click on the "I agree ..." field and click on the "Run anyway" button. However, such extra movements take time and interfere with productivity, which is simply annoying.

The optimal solution is to disable SmartScreen. For this:

Note! After all the steps taken, a notification will immediately appear stating that it is unsafe.

How to disable SmartScreen in Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge

This filter is very annoying when installing desktop programs, but not in a browser. If you are an Internet Explorer or Edge user, then it's best to leave it. Even the most experienced technician can randomly click on a malicious link or ad.

However, if that's what you want so badly, then:

With the Edge browser, no difficulties should arise. Open it and do everything as shown in the screenshots below:

If you're having a problem uploading a valid file, then the steps above will help fix it.

Video - How to disable the SmartScreen filter in Internet Explorer

How to Disable SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10 Step by Step

To stop this built-in tool in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Win" button, in the search enter the word "Defender", click on the icon "Defender Security Center".

   

2. In the window that opens, click on the "Application and browser control" section.

   

3. Then turn off the "Verify applications and files" option (see photo below). Such an action will not go unnoticed, as you will see a yellow danger sign and a warning that after disabling the SmartScreen filter, the computer will be vulnerable. Unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of this notification, so you will continue to see it until you enable the filter again. However, if you have another antivirus program, such actions will not bring you problems.

   

4. Then scroll down to the "SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge". On this screen, you can select one of three different options. It's up to you what the filter in the Microsoft Edge browser should do: warn you when you encounter malicious websites and files on the Internet; block the threat on your own or do nothing. If you have various performance problems, it is better to disable SmartScreen after all. Another antivirus program will most certainly not allow you to download malicious files and content to your computer.

   

5. On the same screen, scroll down to the "SmartScreen for Windows Store Apps" section. As shown in the description of this section, the filter only works when any app downloaded from the store tries to access the Internet. Depending on the case, you can disable the tool or keep it active by selecting the "Warn" setting.

   

Output

Note! If you're not worried about SmartScreen notifications and want to take advantage of all the security benefits in Windows 10, then just leave the filter enabled. This primarily applies to children, parents, grandparents working on a computer running Windows 7, 8.1 or 10. Definitely, they are better off leaving this tool running, especially in Internet Explorer 11.

Experienced users are unlikely to suffer much if they stop using SmartScreen while installing software that they believe is not malicious. Safe utilities include open source utilities. You can always enable the filter again if you wish.

Video - How to disable Smart Screen in Windows 10

Windows SmartScreen features

When you browse the Internet and use Windows, the filter Windows Smart Screen 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 .

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 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 a site or file is analyzed and compared with an existing list of 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 warned with 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 through group policies, its settings cannot be changed through 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 can block network access for 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:

1. Launch Internet Explorer
2. Click on the gear in the upper right corner and expand the section Safety
3. Click on the menu item Turn Off SmartScreen

1. 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.

Regular user Windows systems 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 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 Explorer browser. 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.

If SmartScreen finds a file suspicious, it will block access to it

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 disable the filter for the entire operating system as a whole or separately for the Microsoft Edge browser 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 open the window " Windows Settings". 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 record 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.

Pay attention to the version number of the assembly "Windows" 10

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 configuring SmartScreen. 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:

Run the executable file in the archive and accept the terms of the agreement

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.

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 base Microsoft data collected on the basis of user feedback, 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 uploaded my file yet through this misunderstanding Internet browser explorer? 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 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 in active surfing the Internet and daily installation, often dubious, different 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 (verifies) everything you downloaded, installed and visited. 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 score in search string your favorite Internet browser, the name of the hero of this article, you will immediately see in the "sheet" of the issue the opinion of users about it - almost all the 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, control panel, Windows store, and even sometimes look into the system registry.

Now, thank God, all the SmartScreen filter "disablers" are in one place. If you use the built-in Windows Defender to protect your computer, as I do at the moment, then simply 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 very little 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" ...