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Disable SmartScreen "App Install Control" feature

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 "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 4
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SmartScreen!ConfigureAppInstallControl 4 5
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer!AicEnabled 3 5 6 7
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

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 ▶

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 "App Install Control" feature.
  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

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt


Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: 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"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. 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\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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