Do you need a smart screen in windows 10? SmartScreen - what is it? Change settings and disable SmartScreen. What do messages from the Smartscreen filter mean?

SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10, as in Windows 8, protects the system from web attacks such as phishing and downloads of potentially dangerous and malware. This filter is built into the operating system and Microsoft browsers: Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11.

This filter is based on Microsoft's cloud rating system, which collects information about all downloaded executable files (application reputation filter) and visited files (URL reputation filter). Information about the site or file is analyzed and compared with an existing list of malicious sites and files. If a file is marked as unsafe or is not in the rating system, its download or execution is blocked by the SmartScreen filter.

Thus, when trying to download an unknown file using the IE or Edge browser, its download may be blocked and the user warned by a notification.

This unsafe download blocked by SmartScreen Filter.

If the executable file was downloaded using an alternative browser and copied to a Windows 10 computer over the network, the filter will work when you try to run such a file and its execution will be blocked.

Note. One of the disadvantages of SmartScreen Filter is that it blocks most applications that are not digitally signed.

SmartScreen Filter is enabled by default in Windows 10, but your administrator can change its settings or turn it off completely. You can enable or disable the filter separately for each of the system components: Windows, IE, Microsoft Edge, and the Windows Store. Let's look at how to change the SmartScreen filter settings.

Important. To ensure the security of your PC, it is not recommended to completely disable SmartScreen.

Disable SmartScreen from the Windows Control Panel

To change filter settings, open the classic Control Panel ( Win+R -> control) and go to the section Security and Maintenance. In the left column, click on the button Change Windows SmartScreen Settings.

The following options are available:

Get administrator approval before running an unrecognized application from the Internet recommended)– Request administrator approval before launching an unidentified application from the Internet (recommended)
Warm before running an unrecognized app, but don’t require administrator approval– Warn before running an unidentified application, but do not require administrator approval
Don't do anything (Turn off smartScreen)– do nothing (disable Windows SmartScreen)

After disabling the SmartScreen system filter, a notification appears periodically asking you to enable it.

To hide these notifications, click on the link Turn off messages about Windows SmartScreen.

Configuring SmartScreen using Group Policies

You can also configure SmartScreen settings in Windows 10 using Group Policies. If you are configuring a local computer, open the Local Group Policy Editor (Console) by clicking Win+R-> gpedit.msc. Go to section Computer configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> File Explorer and find the policy Configure Windows SmartScreen.

Enable the policy and select one of the modes:

Require approval from an administrator before running downloaded unknown software– require administrator approval before running downloaded unknown software
Give user a warning before running downloaded unknown software– warn the user before executing downloaded unknown software
Turn off SmartScreen- disable SmartScreen

Click OK and to apply the policy changes, run the command:

Advice. If the SmartScreen filter operating mode is set through group policies, its settings cannot be changed through the control panel.

Setting up SmartScreen through the registry

SmartScreen filter settings can be defined in the system registry. To do this, run regedit.exe and go to the branch HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer. Find the key named SmartScreenEnabled.

Its value can be one of the following:

RequireAdmin– require administrator confirmation
Prompt— request user confirmation
Off- disable

Select the desired filter operating mode and restart the computer.

SmartScreen in the Windows Store App Store

SmartScreen Filter also analyzes website addresses accessed by Modern Windows applications. In some cases, it may block network access to some applications. To prevent this from happening, you can disable the filter from being applied to modern Windows Store apps.

Go to Settings (Win+I) -> Privacy -> General. Find and disable the switch Turn on SmartScreen Filter to check web content (URLs) that Windows Store apps use.

The same can be configured through the registry. For this in the thread HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ you need to create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named EnableWebContentEvaluation and meaning 0 .

Smart Screen in the Microsoft Edge browser

The Microsoft Edge browser also has a separate SmartScreen filter setting. To disable it, go to section Preferences(button in the upper right corner of the browser).

Press Advanced Settings and disable the option Help protect me from malicious sites and downloads with SmartScreen Filter.

The same registry operation is performed by creating a DWORD value named EnabledV9 and value 0 in the branch HCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge\PhishingFilter .

Smart Screen Filter in Internet Explorer

In Internet Explorer, you can disable the SmartScreen filter as follows:

Launch Internet Explorer
Click on the gear in the upper right corner and expand the section Safety
Click on the menu item Turn Off SmartScreen

Select Turn off SmartScreen Filter.

To disable the SmartScreen filter in Internet Explorer through the registry, run the following command:

REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\PhishingFilter" /v EnabledV9 /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

So, in this article we looked at the basic techniques for managing SmartScreen filter settings in Windows 10.

Windows Smartscreen is an important Windows feature that protects your computer from suspicious software. Previously, the filter was built only into the Internet Explorer browser, but starting with Windows 8 it became an integral part of the operating system itself. For the time being, the user may not be aware of the existence of a smartscreen, but at one point, when trying to install some program, a message will appear warning about a possible threat. What is this Windows filter, is it possible to disable it, and what are the consequences of such deactivation?

How Smartscreen works

As we have already noted, smartscreen functionality is integrated into the Internet Explorer browser. After the release of the new Microsoft Edge browser, it was also provided with similar protection. So downloading software through any of these browsers may be blocked if the smartscreen suddenly considers it potentially dangerous.

If the executable file is already on your computer, the filter will make itself known when you try to run it. A pop-up window with a warning message will give the user the option to either refuse or continue despite some risk.

And here the question arises, by what criteria does the filter classify applications as unwanted and is it worth ignoring the notification?

During its operation, Windows Smartscreen accesses a cloud database that stores a list of programs and their ratings. Information here comes from user computers that have the smartscreen filter enabled and the corresponding option is active, allowing information about all installed software products to be transmitted to Microsoft. Based on the collected data, a trust rating is created, and if the downloaded application has a low security rating or is not in the store at all, then the above message is displayed.

What happens if you disable Windows Smartscreen?

Very often, the filter mistakenly blocks applications that do not pose any threat to the user. In such cases, you should simply use the button that allows you to continue executing the program. If the protection is triggered constantly, then it can be completely disabled. But in this case, a good antivirus with constantly updated databases must be installed on your computer. Otherwise, the possibility of running malware cannot be ruled out. Let's say you are completely sure that you don't need Smartscreen. What are the ways to disable it?

How to disable SmartScreen in Explorer and Edge browsers

In Internet Explorer, to disable scanning of websites, first click on the gear in the upper right corner of the window, then select the “Security” line and the “Disable SmartScreen filter...” item.

Select the appropriate item in the window and save the settings.

To remove protection in the Microsoft Edge browser, click on the ellipses button in the upper right corner, and then go to Options - View additional. options. Scroll down and switch the desired option to the “Off” position.

Deactivating a filter using the Control Panel

To turn off the Smartscreen feature in Windows 10, go to Control Panel, and then to the “Security and Maintenance” section.

If the filter is enabled, then in the window that opens, the switch will be in the “Request administrator approval before launching an unidentified application from the Internet (recommended)” position. There are also two more points:

Warn before running an unidentified application, but do not require administrator approval.
Do nothing (disable Windows Smartscreen).

To completely disable Smartscreen, select the last option and save the changes with the OK button.

How to configure Windows Smartscreen through Group Policy

A more sophisticated way is to use the Local Group Policy Editor. To run it, enter the command in the “Run” line (Win + R) gpedit.msc. In the editor window, follow the branch Computer Configuration - Administrative Templates - Windows Components - Explorer. On the right we find the option “Configure Windows Smartscreen” and click on it.

Disabling SmartScreen in the registry

Changing Windows Smartscreen settings can be done using the Windows Registry. Open the registry editor ( Win+R ->regedit) and go to the section HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer. Here we find the parameter SmartScreenEnabled, taking one of three values:

RequireAdmin – request administrator confirmation;
Prompt – display a warning, but do not require administrator confirmation;
Off – disable the filter.

Set it to "Off" and Windows will no longer monitor application launches.

That's all we wanted to tell you about Smartscreen in Windows. Think and decide for yourself whether you need this function or whether your computer is already well protected.

Windows 8 has many secrets and “tricks”, the principle of operation of which may not be immediately understood. Well, one of these options is the Windows SmartScreen feature. The system was created by the developers so that this option is enabled by default.

What does this give the user?

In fact, sometimes it turns out that there is little pleasant. The filter monitors applications installed on the device, from time to time “pampering” the user with its simple warnings about the security status of a particular program. In general, the principles of operation are quite clear and simple.
SmartScreen has a lot of rational, positive principles in it: it helps users recognize what is a normal program and what is potentially dangerous (with minor vicissitudes, but still).

Plus, to all this, Windows SmartScreen is endowed with the ability to send a certain category of data, certain information to Microsoft servers.

Whether or not to work with this “trick” is up to you to decide. But one thing is for sure: if you want to disable all options, you should pay attention to the information that will be given below.

What happens when the options are enabled?

In total, there are three most significant “pillars”:

Requiring confirmation from the administrator before launching downloaded unknown software. Something like this: “Do you really confirm that the program is running as an administrator?” (pictures and threat icons are attached).
Warn the user before executing software unknown to the device
Disable SmartScreen, which is frankly annoying with its warnings.

Several benefits of disabling Windows SmartScreen

It is worth saying that the obvious and visible problem of the presence of surveillance of the installation of unknown software, a program enabled by default, is just the tip of the iceberg.

In fact, it’s worth taking a break and trying to look a little deeper, to evaluate the very essence of this problem. The operation of Windows SmartScreen represents a violation of the privacy of information and the actions performed by users. Sometimes one gets the impression that new technologies, which seem to serve for the benefit of humanity and its development, turn out to be an attempt to “control” the entire population (and, what is most surprising, by the own will of each of us). A problem has been discussed more than once that is associated with the use of Skype and currently existing social networks, the user agreement of which directly states the possibility of “leaking” information about a specific user in one case or another (a special procedure is used and all that). Not so long ago, another “new product” appeared, which is perceived ambiguously. It is connected with the “revolution in fingerprints”, with the help of which the security of user devices will be ensured (perhaps something else?).

The Windows SmartScreen tool is just a kind of “lever” that can not always be used, not in all cases, but potentially has a place to be. If Windows SmartScreen collects information about users, then this means there is potential future pressure on Microsoft. The purpose of pressure is the release of private information to government agencies, as well as legal representatives of holders of certain copyrights. The flow of information that slowly but surely moves from your computer has the potential to be intercepted by hackers. Without major problems, you can study and understand exactly which programs are installed by the user, what features they have, and so on.

How is the “dangerous-safe” SmartScreen disabled?

Method number one.

In the Windows Control Panel you need to find Action Center. The left column should catch your attention with an option called Change Windows SmartScreen settings. Here you need to select the tab called “Do nothing/turn off Windows SmartScreen”

Method number two.

Win+R.
gpedit.msc (this is needed in order to “call to work” the Local Group Policy Editor)
Computer configuration
Administrative Templates
Windows components
Configure Windows SmartScreen (select what you need in the window).

As you can see, the second option is several times longer. As they say, for those who are not looking for easy ways. Well, as for the question of whether to disable or not disable Windows SmartScreen, this is up to users to decide.

In operating systems from Microsoft, starting with Windows 8, there is a technology that, in theory, should protect us from malicious software, but in practice the malware passes - but this same SmartScreen can significantly add problems to us. In such cases, a natural question arises: how to disable SmartScreen in Windows 10? In this note we will look at four proven methods that will save you from this occasions.

If you look into this issue, you will find out that SmartScreen is a new technology from Microsoft that scans downloaded information from the Internet, and if there is the slightest doubt about its origin, it blocks it. On the one hand, the service is useful, but the number of false positives is simply off the charts and I don’t see much practical sense in it (especially if you use a high-quality commercial antivirus). Just look at the annoying message that the service is temporarily unavailable - if you don’t have an Internet connection, Windows cannot check the program and constantly notifies you about this, which is incredible infuriates.

How to disable SmartScreen via Control Panel in Windows 10

The simplest, and probably familiar to everyone, option is to disable the SmartScreen filter using the “Control Panel”. To get there, in Windows 10 you need to click the “Start” button and select the item you are looking for there. (The easiest way is to start typing what interests you, in which case it will appear in the search results - be sure to try it, it’s incredibly convenient)

In Control Panel, select System and Security. Please note that if your appearance differs from the picture below and you cannot find the item you need, make sure that the “Category” option is selected in the “View” line

... and we get to the treasured item “Change Windows SmartScreen settings” (how far they hid it, probably so that we would suffer and not be able to find it)

Here we have a small choice (previously, by the way, there were three options, but now it either works or it doesn’t - there’s no third option)

The window tells us that the SmartScreen filter protects us and says, choose from two options which is more suitable for you.

Warning before executing an unidentified application is going to bug us at the first opportunity
Do nothing (disable Windows SmartScreen) - this will allow us to work normally and calmly launch any applications without a paranoid mood (but if you download a program of unknown origin and you do not have an antivirus, then no offense)

Most likely, this method will be quite enough for you - as you can see, all problems can be solved with a few mouse clicks.

Disable SmartScreen through group policies

I warn you right away that this method can be used only in the professional edition of Windows 10 , at home and for one language, this option is not applicable. To disable the filter, we need to open the “Local Group Policy Editor”, this is done by calling the “Run” window (Windows key combination + R) and then entering the command gpedit.msc

On the left side of the Local Group Policy Editor, find the “Explorer” item (it’s located in “Computer Configuration” - “Administrative Templates” - “Windows Components”), and in the adjacent, right side of the window, find the “Configure Windows SmartScreen” item.

At first glance, everything is simple here, but this is only after a quick inspection - carefully read the certificate, which I see no reason to publish. If you select the “Disabled” item, we do not disable SmartScreen , but we give you the opportunity to do this through the control panel. You need to select the Enabled option and check the Disable SmartScreen feature. Click “OK” and enjoy life.

Again, please note that this method only works on Windows 10 Professional; on the home version, you will not be able to open the Local Group Policy Editor. Of course, this feature can be added, but without modifying the OS it is impossible.

Disabling SmartScreen for Windows 10 Store Apps

Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft added an app store. So, you can disable SmartScreen specifically for applications from the Store, without disabling it completely. I don’t know who might find this useful, but if there is such a possibility, it should be considered.

Open the Start menu, go to Settings - Privacy. On the left side, select the “General” option and move the slider to the “Off” position on the right side in the line that is responsible for the SmartScreen filter

There is another method that the Windows Registry Editor uses, but I doubt its convenience and don’t see the point of talking about it in detail - let’s not create unnecessary problems for ourselves.

Disabling SmartScreen for the Microsoft Edge browser

If, despite numerous reviews, you prefer to use the latest browser from Microsoft - EDGE, then the SmartScreen filter can be disabled specifically for it. To do this, go to “Options” in the program menu.

Scroll to the very bottom and look for “Show additional options” there, scroll back to the very bottom and find the item we need “Help protect your computer from malicious sites and downloads using the SmartScreen filter.” We move the slider to the “Off” position and that’s it quest The search for where to turn off the filter can be considered completed.

Well, we figured out how to disable SmartScreen in Windows 10. No matter how raw it was not, but if possible, if you are not an advanced user, do not disable it. You should ignore it if you are sure of those programs and applications that the SmartScreen filter does not allow you to run. In my practice, the filter creates huge problems when installing programs that have not been updated for a long time and have long been forgotten by the developers... do not forget that even in the absence of an Internet connection (and in Russia this is not so uncommon) SmartScreen filter constantly tries to check applications and writes a server connection error, which can be very annoying.

Windows 10 includes SmartScreen, a feature that helps protect your PC from downloaded malware and malicious websites. The SmartScreen process - called "smartscreen.exe" - that you see in the task manager is responsible for this function.

The amount of CPU and memory used should be fairly small, and the entire process should be very fast, although larger files will take longer to process than smaller files. This check only runs the first time you open a downloaded program or file, so it doesn't waste resources every time you open the app.

Is it possible to disable SmartScreen

You cannot completely disable the SmartScreen process. Even if you disable the SmartScreen feature in Windows, the SmartScreen process will still run when you log into your computer. However, it uses no CPU resources and only a few megabytes of memory. You can force terminate this process from Task Manager, but Windows will start it again automatically when needed.

To prevent the SmartScreen processor from using CPU and memory resources in the background, disable the SmartScreen feature.

We do not recommend doing this! SmartScreen is a useful security tool that helps protect your computer from malware. Even if you have other security software installed, SmartScreen can protect you from something that your main security program might miss. Either way, it uses a small amount of system resources.

SmartScreen is a virus

We have not seen any reports of malware imitating SmartScreen or smartscreen.exe. This process is part of Windows 10 and helps protect your PC from malware, although no security solution is perfect.