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

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.

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







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 Check for apps and files for what you want. (see screenshot below)


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

6 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.

This is the default setting

(Contents of REG file for reference)





(Contents of REG file for reference)

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.

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)



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.

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

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

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

This option will allow using Option One and Option Two.

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





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.

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

(Contents of REG file for reference)

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

(Contents of REG file for reference)

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

(Contents of REG file for reference)

This option will allow using Option One and Option Two.

(Contents of REG file for reference)

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