Disable SmartScreen checks for apps and files

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

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 1. This warning appears as a dialog box before you run an unrecognized or known malicious app downloaded from the internet 1. These checks are part of SmartScreen's reputation-based protection 2. This feature is enabled by default 1. Microsoft collects data about the files and programs you run when this feature is enabled 1 3.

This script stops SmartScreen from alerting you about potentially malicious apps and files 1 2 4 5. It enhances privacy by stopping data collection required for SmartScreen checks. Microsoft suggests disabling it to manage connections and protect your privacy 6. The CIS Center for Internet Security mentions the potential privacy impact of keeping this feature enabled due to Microsoft data collection 3. This script also boosts system performance by reducing the overhead of SmartScreen checks. This gives users more freedom to choose applications and download files.

However, this change may increase the risk of downloading harmful apps and files by reducing safety checks. Authorities like DISA 7 and the CIS Center for Internet Security 3 recommend keeping it enabled as a security measure.

This script configures the following registry keys:

• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!SmartScreenEnabled 4 5 8: This action simulates the action of turning off SmartScreen via the Windows user interface to change user settings 4 5.
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!EnableSmartScreen 1 3 6 7 9: Sets Group Policy Object (GPO) to enforce this setting and prevent users from changing it 1.

Caution

Disabling SmartScreen may reduce your protection against phishing and malware.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Disable SmartScreen for apps and files

This action belongs to Disable SmartScreen for apps and files category. 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. It's part of Windows' reputation-based protection system. Key points about SmartScreen for apps and files: It blocks... Read more on category page ▶

Disable SmartScreen

This action belongs to Disable SmartScreen category. This category focuses on disabling the SmartScreen and its features and components. SmartScreen is known also as "Windows SmartScreen", "Windows Defender SmartScreen", "Microsoft Defender SmartScreen", "Phishing Filter", and "SmartScreen Filter". It protects users from phishing attacks, malware... Read more on category page ▶

Disable Defender

This action belongs to Disable Defender category. This category offers scripts to disable Windows security components related to Defender. Defender is also referred to as Microsoft Defender or Windows Defender. Although designed to protect you, its features may compromise your privacy and decrease computer performance. Privacy concerns... Read more on category page ▶

Privacy over security

This action belongs to Privacy over security category. This category configures Windows using 254 scripts. These scripts are organized in 57 categories. The category includes 3 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

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

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Disable SmartScreen checks for apps and files.
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

HELP: Step-by-step guide

1. Click on Start menu

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!SmartScreenEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer'; $data = 'Off'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer' /v 'SmartScreenEnabled' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!SmartScreenEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer'; $data = 'Off'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer' /v 'SmartScreenEnabled' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!EnableSmartScreen"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System' /v 'EnableSmartScreen' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!SmartScreenEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer' /v 'SmartScreenEnabled' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!SmartScreenEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer' /v 'SmartScreenEnabled' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!EnableSmartScreen"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System' /v 'EnableSmartScreen' /f 2>$null"

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