Disable SmartScreen "App Install Control" feature
Overview
This script improves your privacy on Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
This script disables the "App Install Control" feature of SmartScreen.
This feature restricts app installations exclusively to those from the Microsoft Store 1 2. It displays "The app you're trying to install isn't a Microsoft-verified app" message during app installation 3. By default, this feature is turned off 1 2. Disabling SmartScreen automatically deactivates it as well 1 2. This script explicitly deactivates the feature to guarantee it remains disabled. Once disabled, SmartScreen permits users to install apps from any source, including the Internet 1 2.
Disabling this feature enhances your privacy by limiting the data transmitted about your activities and behavior 4. It also improves system performance by removing the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation of app sources, which can reduce CPU and memory usage. However, this also introduces a security risk by potentially permitting the installation of malicious apps.
The script specifically modifies the following registry keys to enforce these settings:
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen!ConfigureAppInstallControlEnabled
1 2 4HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen!ConfigureAppInstallControl
4 5HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!AicEnabled
3 5 6 7
Disabling SmartScreen may reduce your protection against phishing and malware.
This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
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
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Language: batch
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Required Privileges: Administrator rights
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Compatibility: Windows only
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Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script
Explore Categories
- Disable SmartScreen for Store apps
- Disable SmartScreen for apps and files
- Disable SmartScreen
- Disable Defender
- Privacy over security
This action belongs to Disable SmartScreen for Store apps category. 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)... Read more on category page ▶
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 ▶
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 ▶
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 ▶
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:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
- 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.
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.
privacy.sexy instructions
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the script name:
Disable SmartScreen "App Install Control" feature
. - Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.
Alternative 2. Download
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.
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Download the script file by clicking on the button below:
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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.
Alternative 3. Copy
This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
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Click on Start menu
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Type cmd
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Click on Yes to run Command Prompt
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Copy the following code:
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen!ConfigureAppInstall"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen'; $data = 'Anywhere'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen' /v 'ConfigureAppInstall' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen!ConfigureAppInstallControlEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen' /v 'ConfigureAppInstallControlEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!AicEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer'; $data = 'Anywhere'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer' /v 'AicEnabled' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
- Right click on command prompt to paste it.
- Press Enter to apply remaining code.
Copy restore code
Copy and run the following code to restore changes:
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen!ConfigureAppInstall"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen' /v 'ConfigureAppInstall' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen!ConfigureAppInstallControlEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen' /v 'ConfigureAppInstallControlEnabled' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!AicEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer' /v 'AicEnabled' /f 2>$null"
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