Privacy and Security Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Check Apps and Files from Web in Windows 11


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This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Check apps and files from the web in Windows 11.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen protects against phishing or malware websites and applications, and the downloading of potentially malicious files.

By default, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen helps protect your device by checking for unrecognized apps and files from the web.
  • On = Warns users that the apps and files being downloaded from the web are potentially dangerous but allows the action to continue.
  • Off = Turns off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, so a user isn't alerted or stopped from downloading potentially malicious apps and files.
References:


You must be signed in as an administrator to enable (on) or disable (off) Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Check apps and files from the web.



Contents

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


EXAMPLE: "Windows protected your PC" warning from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

Windows_protected_your_PC-1.png
Windows_protected_your_PC-2.png





Option One

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


1 Open Windows Security.

2 Click/tap on App & browser control. (see screenshot below)

Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_Check_apps_and_files-1.png

3 Click/tap on the Reputation-based protection settings link. (see screenshot below)

Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_Check_apps_and_files-2.png

4 Turn On (default) or Off Check for apps and files for what you want. (see screenshot below)

Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_Check_apps_and_files-3.png

5 Click/tap on Yes when prompted by UAC to approve.

6 You can now close Windows Security if you like.




Option Two

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


1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.

2 Turn On Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Check Apps and Files from Web

This is the default setting


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Turn_ON_Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_Check_apps_and_files_from_web.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"SmartScreenEnabled"="Warn"

3 Turn Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Check Apps and Files from Web

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Turn_OFF_Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_Check_apps_and_files_from_web.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"SmartScreenEnabled"="Off"

4 Save the REG file to your desktop.

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

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.




Option Three

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


The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Four to configure the same policy.


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_Check_apps_and_files_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of File Explorer in Local Group Policy Editor, double 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. Enable SmartScreen to Block Apps and Files from Web

This option will override and prevent using Option One and Option Two.


A) Select (dot) Enabled, select Warn and prevent bypass in the Options drop menu, click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below step 8)​


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

This option will override and prevent using Option One and Option Two.


A) Select (dot) Enabled, select Warn in the Options drop menu, click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below step 8)​


 7. Disable SmartScreen Check Apps and Files from Web

This option will override and prevent using Option One and Option Two.


A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below step 8)​


 8. Default SmartScreen Check Apps and Files from Web

This option will allow using Option One and Option Two.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)​

Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_Check_apps_and_files_gpedit-2.png

9 You can now close Local Group Policy Editor if you like.




Option Four

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


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. Enable SmartScreen to Block Apps and Files from Web

This option will override and prevent using Option One and Option Two.


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

Enable_SmartScreen_to_Block_Apps_and_Files_from_Web.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"EnableSmartScreen"=dword:00000001
"ShellSmartScreenLevel"="Block"


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

This option will override and prevent using Option One and Option Two.


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

Enable_SmartScreen_to_Warn_Apps_and_Files_from_Web.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"EnableSmartScreen"=dword:00000001
"ShellSmartScreenLevel"="Warn"


 4. Disable SmartScreen Check Apps and Files from Web

This option will override and prevent using Option One and Option Two.


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

Disable_SmartScreen_Check_Apps_and_Files_from_Web.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"EnableSmartScreen"=dword:00000000
"ShellSmartScreenLevel"=-


 5. Default SmartScreen Check Apps and Files from Web

This option will allow using Option One and Option Two.


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

Default_Not_Configured_SmartScreen_Check_Apps_and_Files_from_Web.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"EnableSmartScreen"=-
"ShellSmartScreenLevel"=-

6 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

8 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

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


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

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