How to Disable Microsoft Defender Smartscreen

Microsoft Defender Smartscreen, a feature of Windows Defender Security Center, helps keep your PC safer by warning you before running unrecognized apps and files downloaded from the internet. If you accidentally disabled SmartScreen or want to turn it off, you can do so through the Control Panel. Here's how:

Option 1: Turn on or off SmartScreen in Control Panel

To disable SmartScreen using this method, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press Windows logo + X shortcut keys and hit P key on your keyboard.

Step 2: In Control Panel, click on System and Security.

Step 3: Click on the Security and Maintenance icon.

Step 4: Click on Change Windows SmartScreen settings link.

Step 5: Select Don't do anything to turn off Windows SmartScreen option.

Option 2: Disable Microsoft Defender Smartscreen in Windows Defender Security Center

If you have updated your PC to Windows 10 Creator Update, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Windows Defender Security Center.

Step 2: Click on the Virus & threat protection settings icon.

Step 3: Scroll down to SmartScreen section.

Step 4: Toggle off the switch next to 'SmartScreen' to disable it.

Customizing SmartScreen Settings

If an app or file has been blocked by Windows SmartScreen, you can unblock it to open it if you trust it. You can also customize SmartScreen settings to change how it handles unrecognized apps and files downloaded from the internet. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Control Panel using WinX keyboard shortcuts.

Step 2: Click on System and Security.

Step 3: Click on Change Windows SmartScreen settings link.

Step 4: When prompted with an option for how you want Windows SmartScreen to handle unrecognized apps, select your preferred option.

In newer Windows 10 versions, Microsoft has removed the settings to a different place. However, in Windows 8 and earlier Windows 10 versions, SmartScreen filter's settings could be customized using Control Panel.

By disabling or customizing Windows Defender Smartscreen, you can adjust how it handles unknown files and apps on your PC. This feature helps keep your PC safer by warning you before running unrecognized apps and files downloaded from the internet.

Disable microsoft defender smartscreen