Microsoft Defender SmartScreen protects against phishing or malware websites and applications, and the downloading of potentially malicious files.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen helps protect your device from malicious sites and downloads while you browse the web in Microsoft Edge.
You can turn on or off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge if wanted in Windows 11.
On = Warns users that sites and downloads are potentially dangerous but allows the action to continue while running in Microsoft Edge.
Off = Turns off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, so a user isn't alerted or stopped from downloading potentially malicious apps and files.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen determines whether a site is potentially malicious by:
- Analyzing visited webpages for indications of suspicious behavior.
- Checking the visited sites against a dynamic record of reported phishing sites.
See also:
Set up and use Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on individual devices (Windows)
Learn how employees can use Windows Security to set up Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen protects users from running malicious apps.
docs.microsoft.com
Microsoft Edge support for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
Microsoft Edge support for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
docs.microsoft.com
Microsoft Edge Privacy Whitepaper - Microsoft Edge Development
Microsoft Edge Privacy Whitepaper.
docs.microsoft.com
Reputation-based protection - Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com
This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge for your account in Windows 11.
Turing off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge will also turn off potentially unwanted app blocking for downloads.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Edge Settings
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge in Windows Security
- Option Three: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge using REG file
EXAMPLE: Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge warning
Safe test site: Windows Defender SmartScreen Demo
Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Edge Settings
1 Open Microsoft Edge.
2 Click/tap on the Settings and more (Alt+F) 3 dots menu icon, and click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Privacy, search, and services in the left pane, and turn On (default) or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for what you want under Security. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now close the Settings tab in Microsoft Edge if you like.
1 Open Windows Security.
2 Click/tap on App & browser control. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on the Reputation-based protection settings link. (see screenshot below)
4 Turn On (default) or Off SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge for what you want. (see screenshots below)
5 You can now close Windows Security if you like.
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.
2 Turn On Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge
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_for_Microsoft_Edge.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Edge\SmartScreenEnabled]
@=dword:000000013 Turn Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_OFF_Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_for_Microsoft_Edges.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Edge\SmartScreenEnabled]
@=dword:000000004 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.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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