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Disable SmartScreen for apps and files

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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
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • 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.
  • 5 scripts
  • 1 categories
  • 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 category includes scripts to disable SmartScreen for apps and files.

SmartScreen is a security feature that checks the reputation of apps and files you download or run 1 2. It's part of Windows' reputation-based protection system 1 2 3.

Key points about SmartScreen for apps and files:

  • It blocks unrecognized apps and files that may be potentially harmful 2 3.
  • It performs reputation checks on downloaded programs and their digital signatures 1.
  • If an app, file, or digital signature has an established good reputation, users don't see warnings 1.
  • Items without a reputation are flagged as higher risk, prompting a warning to the user 1.

Disabling this feature can:

  • Enhance privacy by reducing data sent to Microsoft for reputation checks 4.
  • Improve system performance by eliminating background scanning and processing.
  • Give users more freedom to run apps and files without interference.

However, disabling SmartScreen may also:

  • Reduce protection against malware, potentially harmful applications, and suspicious files.
  • Increase the risk of running malicious software unknowingly.
Caution

Disabling SmartScreen may reduce your protection against phishing and malware.

  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 two ways to apply:

Download script​

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

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy (Military-Grade)​

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen for apps and files" 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
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen for apps and files" 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 category name: Disable SmartScreen for apps and files
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  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.

Explore This Guide​

  • 5 Privacy settings
  • 1 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 1 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Each main category contains subcategories, helping you find specific settings you might want to adjust.
  • 1 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Disable SmartScreen for Store apps

This category includes scripts to disable SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps. SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps is a security feature that: Checks content used by Microsoft Store apps. • Can restrict app installations to only those from the Microsoft Store. • Scans web content (URLs) accessed by Microsoft Store apps. It's part of Windows' broader Reputation-based protection system. Disabling this feature can: Enhance privacy by reducing data sent to Microsoft for content and app checks....

Disable SmartScreen checks for apps and files

This script disables the SmartScreen checks for apps and files. SmartScreen protects users by warning them before running potentially malicious programs downloaded from the internet. This warning appears as a dialog box before you run an unrecognized or known malicious app downloaded from the internet. These checks are part of SmartScreen's reputation-based protection. This feature is enabled by default. Microsoft collects data about the files and programs you run when this feature is enabled....

Enable SmartScreen warning dismissal for apps

This script disables SmartScreen app blocking, allowing apps to bypass its warnings. SmartScreen is a security feature that protects users by displaying warnings before running potentially harmful programs. These warnings help prevent the execution of suspicious applications. This feature is enabled by default on Windows. SmartScreen sends data to Microsoft about the files and applications run on the system. This raises privacy concerns because it involves collecting user behavior data. The Cent...

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 focuses on disabling the SmartScreen and its features and components. SmartScreen is known also as "Windows SmartScreen", "Windows Defender SmartScre...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable SmartScreen 

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.

Disable SmartScreen in Microsoft browsers
Disable SmartScreen system components
Disable SmartScreen Enhanced Phishing Protection
Disable outdated SmartScreen settings interface

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