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Disable SmartScreen web content checking for Store apps

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 web content checking feature of SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps.

SmartScreen scans web content (URLs) accessed by Microsoft Store apps to enhance security 1 2. SmartScreen is enabled by default 2. Initially, this feature was known as SmartScreen Filter for Microsoft Store apps 3. Later, it was renamed to "SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps" 2. It is part of SmartScreen's reputation-based protection 2 3 4.

Disabling this feature enhances your privacy by reducing data shared with Microsoft. Microsoft acknowledges that turning off this feature limits the data transmitted about your activities and behavior 1. It can also improve system performance by reducing web content processing overhead.

However, there is a trade-off between privacy and security:

  • Increased Privacy: Less data shared with Microsoft.
  • Decreased Security: Less protection against phishing and malware.

The Polish Government advises turning this feature off to prioritize privacy over security 5.

This script modifies the following Windows registry keys:

  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!EnableWebContentEvaluation: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This key modifies the user interface setting 1 3.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!EnableWebContentEvaluation 4 6 7
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!EnableWebContentEvaluation 3 6
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 web content checking for Store apps.
  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: "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!EnableWebContentEvaluation"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost' /v 'EnableWebContentEvaluation' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!Enabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost' /v 'Enabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!EnableWebContentEvaluation"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost' /v 'EnableWebContentEvaluation' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$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 "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!EnableWebContentEvaluation"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost' /v 'EnableWebContentEvaluation' /f 2>$null"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!Enabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost' /v 'Enabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost!EnableWebContentEvaluation"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost' /v 'EnableWebContentEvaluation' /f 2>$null"

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