Disable outdated Internet Explorer SmartScreen

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 in outdated versions of Internet Explorer.

SmartScreen is also known as the Phishing Filter 1 2 or SmartScreen Filter 2 3. It protects users by identifying and blocking malicious web content 2 3.

Disabling this feature enhances your privacy by preventing the collection of data related to your browsing habits. It can also increase system performance by reducing the computational overhead required to scan and evaluate web content. However, this may also lower your security, as it makes the browser more vulnerable to malicious sites and downloads 3.

Internet Explorer is no longer supported and has been replaced by Microsoft Edge on recent versions of Windows 1. However, this script remains relevant for older versions where Internet Explorer is still operational.

The script modifies the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\<ZoneNumber>\2301 registry key 1 2 3. Each zone in the registry represents a different security level 1:

Security Zone	Meaning
0	My Computer
1	Local Intranet Zone
2	Trusted Sites Zone
3	Internet Zone
4	Restricted Sites Zone

Disabling SmartScreen is achieved by setting the value of 2301 to 3 2.

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

Disable SmartScreen in Microsoft browsers

This action belongs to Disable SmartScreen in Microsoft browsers category. This category provides scripts to disable SmartScreen in Microsoft browsers. SmartScreen is a security feature in Edge. When you visit websites or download files, SmartScreen checks the reputation of the URL or file. If SmartScreen determines that the site or file is malicious, it blocks access... Read more on category page ▶

Disable SmartScreen

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 ▶

Disable Defender

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 ▶

Privacy over security

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:

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 outdated Internet Explorer SmartScreen.
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

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0'; $data = '3'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0' /v '2301' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1'; $data = '3'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1' /v '2301' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2'; $data = '3'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2' /v '2301' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3'; $data = '3'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3' /v '2301' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4'; $data = '3'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4' /v '2301' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. 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\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0' /v '2301' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1' /v '2301' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2' /v '2301' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3' /v '2301' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4!2301"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4' /v '2301' /f 2>$null"

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