How to Disable SmartScreen in Windows 10 and Windows 11
Settings · Edge · Group Policy · Registry

What Is Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Windows?

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is a Windows security feature that checks websites, downloaded files, applications, and app installers against reputation and threat intelligence data. When a file or website looks suspicious, SmartScreen can show a warning before the content opens or runs.

In Windows 10 and Windows 11, SmartScreen is part of Windows Security and is usually managed through App & browser control. In Microsoft Edge, SmartScreen also helps block phishing pages, scam websites, and suspicious downloads.

What SmartScreen Can Check

• Downloaded apps and files opened from the internet.
• Websites visited in Microsoft Edge.
• Unrecognized applications that do not yet have a strong reputation.
• Potentially unwanted apps if reputation-based protection is enabled.
• Microsoft Store apps and web content used by some Store apps.

Before You Turn Off SmartScreen: Security Risks and Safer Alternatives

Disabling SmartScreen can remove warnings for unknown installers, unsigned software, suspicious downloads, or websites that Microsoft considers risky. This may be useful for testing software, working in a lab environment, or troubleshooting false positives, but it lowers your protection against phishing and malicious downloads.

Safer Options Instead of Disabling SmartScreen Completely

• Right-click the downloaded file, select Properties, and use Unblock if Windows marked the file as downloaded from the internet.
• Use More info → Run anyway only when you are sure the file is safe.
• Download the installer again from the official vendor website.
• Check the file with Microsoft Defender Antivirus or another trusted scanner before running it.
• Test unknown programs inside a virtual machine or Windows Sandbox instead of your main system.

How to Disable SmartScreen in Windows Security Settings

The easiest way to turn off SmartScreen in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is through the Windows Security app. This method is suitable for home users and does not require editing the Registry.

Disable SmartScreen in Windows 11

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & security.
3. Open Windows Security.
4. Click App & browser control.
5. Under Reputation-based protection, click Reputation-based protection settings.
6. Turn off Check apps and files.
7. Optionally turn off SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, Potentially unwanted app blocking, and SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps.

Disable SmartScreen in Windows 10

1. Open Start and search for Windows Security.
2. Open App & browser control.
3. Click Reputation-based protection settings.
4. Switch Check apps and files to Off.
5. Disable other SmartScreen-related switches only if you specifically need them off.

How to Disable SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge has its own SmartScreen setting. Turning off SmartScreen in Windows Security may not always disable every Edge protection option, especially on managed computers. You can check Edge directly from the browser settings.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
3. Open Settings.
4. Select Privacy, search, and services.
5. Scroll to the Security section.
6. Turn off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.

Direct Edge Settings URL

You can also paste this into the Edge address bar:

edge://settings/privacy

After changing the setting, restart Edge and test the download or website again. If the switch turns back on automatically, your browser may be controlled by a work, school, or organization policy.

How to Disable SmartScreen Using Group Policy Editor

On Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, you can disable SmartScreen with the Local Group Policy Editor. This is useful when you need a system-wide setting that users cannot easily change from Windows Security.

Disable SmartScreen for Apps and Files

1. Press Win + R.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3. Go to:
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Defender SmartScreen → Explorer
4. Open Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen.
5. Select Disabled.
6. Click Apply and OK.
7. Restart the computer or run gpupdate /force.

Disable SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge by Policy

1. Open Local Group Policy Editor.
2. Go to:
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Microsoft Edge → SmartScreen settings
3. Open Configure Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
4. Select Disabled.
5. Apply the change and restart Edge.

If the Microsoft Edge policy folder is missing, install the Microsoft Edge administrative templates or use the Registry method below.

How to Disable SmartScreen Using Registry Editor

The Registry method is useful on Windows Home or when you need to apply the setting manually without Group Policy Editor. Create a restore point or export the Registry key before making changes.

Disable SmartScreen for Windows Explorer

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Open this key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
3. If the System key does not exist, create it.
4. Create or edit a DWORD (32-bit) Value named EnableSmartScreen.
5. Set its value to 0.
6. Restart Windows.

Registry File to Disable SmartScreen for Apps and Files

You can save the following text as disable-smartscreen.reg, then run it as administrator:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"EnableSmartScreen"=dword:00000000

Disable SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge by Registry

For Microsoft Edge policy-based control, use this key:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"SmartScreenEnabled"=dword:00000000

After applying the Edge policy, close all Edge windows and reopen the browser. You can check active Edge policies by opening:

edge://policy

How to Disable SmartScreen with PowerShell or Command Prompt

If you prefer command-line administration, you can create the required Registry values from Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or Command Prompt running as administrator.

PowerShell Command

1. Right-click Start.
2. Select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
3. Run this command:

New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" -Name "EnableSmartScreen" -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force

Command Prompt Command

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" /v EnableSmartScreen /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Turn SmartScreen Back On Later

To remove the policy and let Windows Security control the setting again, run:

reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" /v EnableSmartScreen /f

Restart the computer after removing or changing policy-based values. If you used a corporate policy, the setting may return after the next policy refresh.

What to Do If SmartScreen Settings Are Greyed Out or Managed by Your Organization

Sometimes the SmartScreen switches in Windows Security or Edge are unavailable, greyed out, or marked as managed by your organization. This usually means a policy is controlling the setting.

Common Reasons SmartScreen Cannot Be Changed

• The PC is joined to a work or school organization.
• Microsoft Intune, MDM, or domain Group Policy controls SmartScreen.
• A local Group Policy setting was configured earlier.
• A third-party privacy or tweaking tool created policy Registry values.
• Microsoft Edge policies are active under edge://policy.

How to Check Local Group Policy

1. Open gpedit.msc.
2. Check Windows Defender SmartScreen → Explorer.
3. Set Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen to Not Configured if you want manual control from Windows Security.
4. Check Microsoft Edge → SmartScreen settings if Edge is affected.
5. Run gpupdate /force or restart Windows.

How to Check Registry Policies

Look for SmartScreen policy values in these locations:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

If this is a company or school device, do not remove these settings without permission. They may be required by your organization's security policy.

FAQ: Disabling SmartScreen in Windows 10 and Windows 11