You can have Windows require administrator approval before running an unknown program, warn you without requiring administrator approval, or select “Don’t do anything” to turn off Windows SmartScreen. You can then choose what Windows does with unrecognized programs. Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Action Center.Įxpand the “Security” section, locate Windows SmartScreen in the list, and click “Change settings” under it. On Windows 8, you’ll find this option in the Control Panel. It warns you before those apps load dangerous content. The “SmartScreen for Windows Store apps” filter is used when apps you download from the Windows Store access web content. It blocks malicious websites and downloads, but only in Microsoft Edge. Here you can also launch a scan, which searches for potential. When SmartScreen appears it usually says the app you want to install is unrecognized. The Windows 10 SmartScreen in the Creators Update. Click on 'Virus & threat protection' In this section, you can see your computer’s protection history (viruses and threats detected). Getting past SmartScreen on a case-by-case basis Ian Paul/IDG. The “SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge” option controls the SmartScreen filter build into the Microsoft Edge browser. To see the status of Windows Security, go to Windows Security by clicking on the icon at the bottom right of your desktop. RELATED: Is Microsoft Edge Really Safer than Chrome or Firefox? When you try to open a downloaded application or file in File Explorer or another application, Windows will check that application or file and block it or display a warning if it’s unrecognized. The “Check apps and files” option controls the operating system’s SmartScreen filter, which protects you no matter where you download files from. However, if you disable SmartScreen entirely, SmartScreen won’t be able to block known-dangerous files. Even if you have “Warn” enabled, SmartScreen will always block known-dangerous content-it’ll just warn you before running unrecognized applications. Select “Block” block unrecognized applications, “Warn” to view a warning you can click through, or “Off” to disable Windows SmartScreen entirely.

There are three different Windows SmartScreen filters, and you can configure separate options for each.

Windows protected your pc