Windows SmartScreen increases computer safety and warns users before running unrecognized programs downloaded from the Internet. The base of the Smartscreen filter is an extensive database of sites and files; based on that, Windows checks executable files on their first run. If the file is new or if it is added to the SmartScreen filter as unsafe, its execution is blocked.
However, the filter blocks any applications that are not digitally signed. Of course, you can disable the SmartScreen Filter on Windows 10, but keep in mind that by disabling it, you will reduce the protection of your computer. Let’s see how to change the SmartScreen filter settings in Windows 10.
How To Change The SmartScreen Filter Settings in Windows 10
You have four ways to change the SmartScreen filter settings:
- Set up the SmartScreen filter in the control panel
- Open the classic Control Panel (Win + X – Control Panel)
- Navigate to “System and Security,” then click “Security and Maintenance.”
- On the left panel, click on “Change Windows SmartScreen settings.”
There are three options for dealing with Windows SmartScreen:
- Get administrator approval before running an unrecognized app from the Internet (recommended)
- Warn before running unrecognized app, but don’t require administrator approval
- Do nothing (turn off Windows SmartScreen)
Select your settings and click on “OK” to save the changes.
Configuring Windows SmartScreen filter in Group Policy Editor:
- Open the Group Policy Editor (Win + R – gpedit.msc)
- Navigate to Computer Configuration < Administrative Templates < Windows Components < File Explorer
- On the right side, open the editor with a double-click on the “Configure Windows SmartScreen”. In the settings section, select the option that suits you best.
- If the SmartScreen is enabled in the Group Policy Editor, you can configure it from the Control Panel.
Configuring Windows SmartScreen by editing the registry:
Smartscreen Filter settings can also be changed by editing the registry settings SmartScreenEnabled located under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer
SmartScreenEnabled parameter can have one of three values, each of which corresponds to the “Control Panel” settings or Group Policy settings:
- RequireAdmin – Require approval from an administrator before running unrecognized applications from the Internet (the default)
- Prompt – Warn before running unrecognized applications, but does not require administrator approval
- Off – Do nothing (turn off Windows SmartScreen)
Preconfigured SmartScreen filter registry files:
- Download the file “smartscreen_config.zip,” unzip it, and put these reg-files in the registry:
- smartscreen_get_admin_approval.reg – SmartScreen enabled, administrator approval is required
- smartscreen_warn.reg – SmartScreen enabled, administrator approval is not required
- smartscreen_off.reg – SmartScreen off
