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Enable SmartScreen warning dismissal for 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 SmartScreen app blocking, allowing apps to bypass its warnings.

SmartScreen is a security feature that protects users by displaying warnings before running potentially harmful programs 1 2 3 4. These warnings help prevent the execution of suspicious applications 1 2. This feature is enabled by default on Windows 1.

SmartScreen sends data to Microsoft about the files and applications run on the system 1 3. This raises privacy concerns because it involves collecting user behavior data. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) mentions disabling it for additional privacy 3. Disabling SmartScreen can improve system performance by reducing the processing overhead.

However, this may decrease system security by reducing protection against malicious software and phishing attacks. Authorities like DISA 4 and CIS 3 recommend keeping SmartScreen enabled and blocking suspicious apps as a security best practice.

SmartScreen has two configurations:

  • Warn and prevent bypass: The user cannot ignore the warnings, and SmartScreen will repeat the warnings for subsequent attempts to run the app 1 2.
  • Warn: SmartScreen initially warns the user about a suspicious app but allows the user to override the warning and run the app 1 2. It will not issue further warnings for that app if the user chooses to proceed 1 2.

This script modifies the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!ShellSmartScreenLevel registry key to enable bypass through the Warn option 1 2 3.

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 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 ▶

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: Enable SmartScreen warning dismissal for 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: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!ShellSmartScreenLevel"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System'; $data = 'Warn'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System' /v 'ShellSmartScreenLevel' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$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\System!ShellSmartScreenLevel"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System' /v 'ShellSmartScreenLevel' /f 2>$null"

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