How to Disable the SmartScreen Filter in Windows

SmartScreen is an early warning Windows built-in security system. Firstly, it was introduced with Explorer 8. Its primary function is to safeguard your system from online malware or threats. It automatically scans for and blocks any harmful links or downloads while you are using the web browser. 

Sometimes you want to download an important file, but you are unable to do so because the SmartScreen is blocking the download. If you are an experience users with strong understanding of knowledge threats, you may want to disable the SmartScreen Filter.

This article demonstrates the guide on how to disable the SmartScreen filter in Windows.

How to Disable the SmartScreen Filter in Windows 

You can disable the SmartScreen filter in Windows:

• Using Windows Security Settings Application
• Turning Off Smart Filter from Microsoft Edge
• Using the Group Policy Editor
• Using the Registry Editor

Method 1: Disable SmartScreen Filter Using Windows Security Settings Application

To disable SmartScreen filter using Windows Security Settings, follow the below-given steps:

Step 1: Open the Windows Security

Search Windows Security application from the Window’s search bar, double-click on the application to open it.

Step 2: Disable the SmartScreen Filter

After getting into the Windows security window, click on the App & browser:

After that, Click on the Reputation-based protection:

Finally, disable the SmartScreen Filter. If you disable only SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, this will not be as effective. For effective disabling all four other options as well: 

Method 2: How to turn off the SmartFilter from Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is a Windows built-in web browser. Edge was introduced after the Explorer was shut down by Microsoft. As every browser has security features, Edge uses Windows security protocol to protect users. If you are considering disabling the SmartScreen Filter in Windows you can also do it from Microsoft Edge.

To disable the SmartScreen filter through Microsoft Edge, open the settings from, by clicking on the three dots located in the right corner of the web browser. A contextual menu will open, Click to open the settings of Microsoft Edge: 

Once you have entered the Microsoft Edge settings, select the privacy, research, and services tab. Under the privacy, research, and services tab, turn off the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:

Method 3: Using the Group Policy Editor to Disable the SmartScreen Filter

Group Policy Editor is a system utility that allows you to view or edit the group policy. To disable the SmartScreen filter by the change group policy following steps:

Step 1: Open the Group Policy Editor

To open the Group Policy Editor, press the window key plus R simultaneously and type gpedit.msc in the run dialog box windows:

Step 2: Find the File Explorer Folder

After getting into the group policy editor, expand the tabs, Computer Configuration?Administrative Templates? Windows Components:

Under the File Explorer folder, find the Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen and click to open it:

Step 3: Disable the SmartScreen Filter

After clicking on the Configure file, a configured Windows Defender martscreen will open. Choose the disabled option and apply the changes:

Method 4: Using the Registry Editor to Disable the SmartScreen Filter

Registry Editor is a hierarchical database within the operating system, utilised by applications that make use of the registry. It stores the low-level settings of the operating system. You can also employ this option to deactivate the SmartScreen filter in your operating system. To do this, take the following steps.

Step 1: Open the Register Editor

Click on the start menu, type Register Editor in the search bar and click on the Open button to open it:

Step 2: Navigate the Folder

After having the Registry Editor, paste the following address in the address bar to navigate to the destination folder. After getting into a requisite folder, right-click on the empty screen and create a 32-bit DWORD key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

Step 3: Modify the Register

Now name the key “Enable SmartScreen”, and after that, right-click on the newly created key to modify it:

Change the value data “0”. 0 indicates “disable the value” of 1 indicates “to enable the value” and press the OK Button to confirm the changes:

Note: It is not recommended to disable your SmartScreen filter, because this action will leave your system unprotected from any inner or external malware.

Conclusion

Go to the Windows security settings and turn off the SmartScreen Filter to disable the SmartScreen. The settings of the web browser might also be used. Disable it from the register key or from the group policy if you want it to be truly disabled.