The SmartScreen filter technology was initially designed for Internet Explorer to protect users from malicious websites and web applications. But it has now become a part of the operating system itself.
Microsoft implemented the SmartScreen feature directly into the OS, so files are now screened to check whether they are harmful.
As you can imagine, this sends information about every application you download to Microsoft servers, where it is analyzed and compared with their malicious apps database. In case of negative feedback, Windows prevents you from running the app.
SmartScreen is enabled for classic desktop software programs, the Edge web browser, as well as the apps that you download from the Windows Store.
But you can disable SmartScreen individually for each of these easily.
1. Open the Windows Defender Security Center by clicking on its icon in the Taskbar. You can also search for this panel directly from the Start Menu, if you want.
2. Once open, go to the App & browser control section.
3. A new page will open, which will list SmartScreen options for desktop programs, Edge and Windows Store applications. Simply select Off for each one, and the feature will be completely disabled throughout the operating system.
All Comments
This does not work as Smartscreen reverts to on automatically, even when deactivated via it’s control panel. I have to deactivate each time I do anything on the computer. Something is activating it with each new application opened. Considering a different operating system, one that isn’t Microsoft based.