Disable SmartScreen "App Install Control" feature
- 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 "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.
- 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.
- 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 trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.
Sources
- SmartScreen Policy CSP - Windows Client Management. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-smartscreen
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240709110302/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-smartscreen#enableappinstallcontrol - Configure App Install Control. admx.help. (2024).
Original: https://admx.help
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240709110349/https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_10_2016&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.SmartScreen::ConfigureAppInstallControl - I am Having Issues Changing My App Recommendation Settings - Microsoft Community. answers.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-am-having-issues-changing-my-app-recommendation/16b00c35-05fc-44bc-9e78-e9452cf8d862
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240713100611/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-am-having-issues-changing-my-app-recommendation/16b00c35-05fc-44bc-9e78-e9452cf8d862 - Manage connections from Windows 10 and Windows 11 Server/Enterprise editions operating system components to Microsoft services - Windows Privacy. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/manage-connections-from-windows-operating-system-components-to-microsoft-services
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230911110911/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/privacy/manage-connections-from-windows-operating-system-components-to-microsoft-services#241-microsoft-defender-smartscreen - 10_0_19045_2251/C/Windows/System32/smartscreen.exe.strings at 0960c766a4fc8eb5a95d47ac4df6c1d35b9324bf · privacysexy-forks/10_0_19045_2251 · GitHub. github.com. (2025).
Original: https://github.com/privacysexy-forks/10_0_19045_2251/blob/0960c766a4fc8eb5a95d47ac4df6c1d35b9324bf/C/Windows/System32/smartscreen.exe.strings#L5182 - Choose where to get apps in Windows 11 Tutorial. Windows 11 Forum. www.elevenforum.com. (2024).
Original: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/choose-where-to-get-apps-in-windows-11.7370
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240724195837/https://www.elevenforum.com/t/choose-where-to-get-apps-in-windows-11.7370/ - 1659157 - Add telemetry to track Win 10 installs in related to the system's MSFT verified app setting.. bugzilla.mozilla.org. (2024).
Original: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240713101028/https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1659157
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 "App Install Control" feature" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
Apply with privacy.sexy
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- Includes safety checks
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Help
How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen "App Install Control" feature" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable SmartScreen "App Install Control" feature
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 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.
- Apply
- Revert
:: 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"
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
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen "App Install Control" feature" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
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Same Goal
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About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
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.