Disable SmartScreen system components

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.

• Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
• Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
• 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.
• 3 scripts
• No subcategories
• 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 category includes scripts that disable SmartScreen system components.

SmartScreen is a security feature in Windows that helps protect your device from potentially harmful applications, files, and websites ¹. Its components run in the background as part of the operating system.

Disabling these components may:

• Improve privacy by reducing data collection used for SmartScreen functionality ².
• Increase system performance by eliminating background processes.
• Enhance security by removing potential attack surfaces.

However, there are risks to consider:

• Reduced protection against malicious software and phishing attempts.
• Potential impact on Windows system integrity.

These scripts modify core system components. Consider your personal risk tolerance and needs before applying these changes.

Caution

Disabling SmartScreen may reduce your protection against phishing and malware.

1. 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.

2. 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 tracking

   Decreased Security

   Some security features will be disabled or limited

   This script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.

Sources

PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

• Microsoft Defender SmartScreen overview - Windows Security. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/virus-and-threat-protection/microsoft-defender-smartscreen
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240709105002/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/virus-and-threat-protection/microsoft-defender-smartscreen/
• Manage connections from Windows 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

Apply Now

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script

Download and run the script directly

• No app needed
• Offline usage
• Easy-to-apply
• Free
• Open-source

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy (Military-Grade)

• Military-grade privacy protection
• Major system impact
• Consider having system restore point.

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Apply protection

Undo protection

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen system components" using script

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Web Browser
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 5 instructions

1. 1

   Download

   Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
   Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
2. 2

   Keep the file

   If warned by your browser, keep the file.
3. 3

   Open

   Open the downloaded file.
4. 4

   Exit

   Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
5. 5

   Restart

   Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy

Guided, automated application with safety checks

• Recommended for most users
• Includes safety checks
• Shows the code
• Free
• Open-source
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• Offline/Online usage

Open privacy.sexy

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable SmartScreen system components" using privacy.sexy

• ≈ 3 min to complete
• Tools: privacy.sexy
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 4 instructions

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.

1. 1

   Open or download

   Open or download the desktop application
2. 2

   Choose script

   1. Search for the category name: Disable SmartScreen system components
   2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
3. 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.

Explore This Guide

• 3 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Disable SmartScreen process

This script stops the "smartscreen.exe" process and prevents it from running. This process is officially known as Windows Defender SmartScreen. It manages the SmartScreen functionality. Disabling SmartScreen enhances privacy by preventing outbound network connections that transmit your data. Even when disabled, SmartScreen continues running in the background. It also improves system performance by reducing CPU usage. However, disabling the SmartScreen process may compromise your security by re...

Disable SmartScreen libraries

This script disables essential SmartScreen libraries, limiting their functionality and preventing their use by other programs. A library is a set of code and resources that help programs operate. A DLL (Dynamic Link Library) contains code and data that multiple programs can use simultaneously. Disabling these libraries stops SmartScreen operations across applications. This enhances your privacy by eliminating SmartScreen data collection. It improves security by reducing the system's attack s...

Disable SmartScreen integrations

This script disables COM SmartScreen integrations within Windows. SmartScreen is a security feature that aims to protect your device from harmful applications, files, and websites by comparing items with a database of known threats. COM (Component Object Model) objects are software components that let different programs communicate. These integrations allow SmartScreen to interact with various Windows components. Disabling these components disrupts SmartScreen's functionality. This scrip...

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Same Goal

Other guides in Disable SmartScreen 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable SmartScreen for apps and files

Disable SmartScreen in Microsoft browsers

Disable SmartScreen Enhanced Phishing Protection

Disable outdated SmartScreen settings interface

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About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

• 

  undergroundwires

  • Certified security professional
  • 7+ years experience securing banks
  • Open-source developer since 2005
  • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
• Open-Source Contributors

  • Hundreds across the globe
  • Testers, reviewers, developers
  • Companies, military agencies
  • Community since 2017

About Us

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.

Review Change History Our Change Process