This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps for your account or all users 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 protects your device by checking web content that Microsoft Store apps use.
You can turn on or off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps in Windows 11.
On = Warns users that the sites and downloads used by Microsoft Store apps are potentially dangerous but allows the action to continue.
Off = Turns off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, so a user isn't alerted or stopped from visiting sites or from downloading potentially malicious apps and files.
References:
Windows security documentation
Windows is designed with zero-trust principles at its core, offering powerful security from chip to cloud. As organizations embrace hybrid work environments, the need for robust security solutions becomes paramount. Windows integrates advanced hardware and software protection, ensuring data...
docs.microsoft.com
Reputation-based protection - Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps for Current User in Windows Security
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps for Current User using REG file
- Option Three: Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps for All Users using REG file
Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps for Current User in Windows Security
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 Store apps for what you want. (see screenshot below)
5 You can now close Windows Security if you like.
Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps for Current User 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 for Microsoft Store Apps
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_Store_apps.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost]
"EnableWebContentEvaluation"=dword:00000001
"PreventOverride"=dword:000000003 Turn Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps
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_Store_apps.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost]
"EnableWebContentEvaluation"=dword:00000000
"PreventOverride"=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.
Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps for All Users using REG file
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you want.
2. Enable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps for All Users
This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option Two.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_for_Microsoft_Store_apps.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost]
"EnableWebContentEvaluation"=dword:00000001 3. Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps for All Users
This 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 4 below.
Disable_Microsoft_Defender_SmartScreen_for_Microsoft_Store_apps_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost]
"EnableWebContentEvaluation"=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
Related Tutorials
- Turn On or Off Smart App Control in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Check Apps and Files from Web in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Phishing Protection in Windows 11
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