How to Disable SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10

Dec. 22, 2020



SmartScreen Filter is a built-inWindows 10security feature thatprotects users from malware. Not only the built-in Windows Defender SmartScreen scans programs and files on your PC, but it also integrates with Microsoft Edge to block phishing and malware websites. It is an important security feature that’s best left untouched by novice users. However, if you’re an experienced user who finds its notifications annoying, we’ll tell you how to bypass SmartScreen Filter or turn it off entirely on your Windows 10 PC.

Disable SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10

Disable SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10

While the extra security that Microsoft SmartScreen offers is important, the additional warnings can often be a source of annoyance. So today, we’ll tell you how to disable Windows 10 SmartScreen Filter on your PC. We’ll also tell you more about the feature itself to give you an idea about what it is and what it does on your computer.

Note:If you don’t want to be irritated by prompts about what to install and what not to, you should also turn off the other option that says ‘Potentially unwanted app blocking’ (see screenshot above).

Originally introduced with Windows 8.1, SmartScreen Filter is a built-in security feature that protects users against phishing websites, malicious downloads and more. It offers an additional level of security over and above regularanti-virus programs on Windows PCs. If you’re about to open a file or install an app that it believes is unsafe, it will show you a warning saying it has protected your PC.

Yes, it is. SmartScreen checks the sites you visit and the files you download for possible threats. Pop-up blockers, on the other hand, just blocks pop-ups, many of which are advertisements that may be annoying, but not necessarily malicious.

Yes, there is. The software shows a warning any time you try to run an app or open a file that it deems unsafe. You, however, have the option to bypass SmartScreen and install those apps or open those sites by clicking through a confirmation dialog anyway. You can also disable it entirely on your PC.

If you’re an advanced user and know what you’re doing, you can turn it off and save yourself the annoyance of having to deal with prompts and notifications every time you try to do something on your computer.

Yes, you can. Microsoft SmartScreen protects computers in three ways – by scanning apps and files on your PC, by checking for possible malware while downloading apps from the Microsoft Store and by blocking phishing and fraudulent websites when surfing with Microsoft Edge. You can disable any of these options individually or all of them simultaneously, as mentioned in the tutorial.

The SmartScreen Filter maybe an important feature for novice or inexperienced users, but it can hamperproductivityand be annoying for tech savvy users. So now that you know how to bypass Microsoft SmartScreen, go ahead, do it, but don’t tell us we didn’t warn you about the possible consequences.

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