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Disable SmartScreen Enhanced Phishing Protection "potentially malicious" notifications

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: High

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High

    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script disables the Enhanced Phishing Protection warnings in Defender SmartScreen related to potentially malicious password entry scenarios.

By default, these warnings are turned off 1. This script ensures it remains disabled. Disabling this feature stops warnings from appearing when users enter their work or school passwords into potentially malicious websites or applications 1.

This option is also known as Warn me about malicious apps and sites 2. It warns users when they enter their work or school password into potentially malicious situations 1 3. These scenarios include:

  • Reported phishing sites 1 3
  • Microsoft login URLs with invalid certificates 1 3
  • Applications connecting to either of the above 1 3

It displays a pop-up notification when users try to access a website blocked by Defender SmartScreen 3. It helps users understand why a website is blocked and decide whether to proceed 3.

This script enhances privacy by reducing the data sent to Microsoft. It may also improve system performance through reduced resource usage, fewer notifications, and less network activity.

However, this script may decrease security. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) recommends enabling this feature for better protection against phishing attacks 3.

Caution

Disabling this feature may expose you to phishing attacks and other online threats without warning.

Technical Details​

This script applies only to Microsoft Accounts 3. It is only supported on Microsoft Windows 11 and later versions 1 3. It does not affect on-premises domain-joined accounts 3.

This script sets the NotifyMalicious 1 2 4 policy to disabled state.

  1. Not Advised

    This script should only be used by advanced users.

    This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

    Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.

  2. Security Trade-off

    This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.

    Increased Privacy

    Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and tracking

    Decreased Security

    Some security features will be disabled or limited

    This script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen Enhanced Phishing Protection "potentially malicious" notifications" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen Enhanced Phishing Protection "potentially malicious" notifications" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable SmartScreen Enhanced Phishing Protection "potentially malicious" notifications
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WTDS\Components!NotifyMalicious"
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-FirstRelease.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-FirstRelease'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WTDS\Components'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WTDS\Components' /v 'NotifyMalicious' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WTDS\Components!NotifyMalicious"
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows11-FirstRelease.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows11-FirstRelease'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }function Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller($Script) { $principalSid = [System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier]::new('S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464'); $principalName = $principalSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); $streamFile = New-TemporaryFile; $scriptFile = New-TemporaryFile; try { $scriptFile = Rename-Item -LiteralPath $scriptFile -NewName ($scriptFile.BaseName + '.ps1') -Force -PassThru; $Script | Out-File $scriptFile -Encoding UTF8; $taskName = "^""privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy invoke"^""; schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f 2>&1 | Out-Null; $executionCommand = "^""powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File '$scriptFile' *>&1 | Out-File -FilePath '$streamFile' -Encoding UTF8"^""; $action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute 'powershell.exe' -Argument "^""-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command `"^""$executionCommand`"^"""^""; $settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -AllowStartIfOnBatteries -DontStopIfGoingOnBatteries; Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName $taskName -Action $action -Settings $settings -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; try { ($scheduleService = New-Object -ComObject Schedule.Service).Connect(); $scheduleService.GetFolder('\').GetTask($taskName).RunEx($null, 0, 0, $principalName) | Out-Null; $timeout = (Get-Date).AddMinutes(5); Write-Host "^""Running as $principalName"^""; while ((Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult -eq 267009) { Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 200; if ((Get-Date) -gt $timeout) { Write-Warning 'Skipping: Timeout'; break; }; }; if (($result = (Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult) -ne 0) { Write-Error "^""Failed, due to exit code: $result."^""; } } finally { schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f | Out-Null; }; Get-Content $streamFile } finally { Remove-Item $streamFile, $scriptFile; }; }; $cmd = '$registryPath = ''HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WTDS\Components'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'$data = ''0'''+"^""`r`n"^""+''+"^""`r`n"^""+'reg add ''HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WTDS\Components'' `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    /v ''NotifyMalicious'' `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    /t ''REG_DWORD'' `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    /d "^""$data"^"" `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    /f'; Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller $cmd"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen Enhanced Phishing Protection "potentially malicious" notifications" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

This category contains scripts to disable SmartScreen's Enhanced Phishing Protection feature, which monitors password usage and sends data to Microsoft. This featu...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable SmartScreen Enhanced Phishing Protection 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

See all 7 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process