What is SmartScreen?
SmartScreen is a security feature built into Windows 10, specifically the Windows Defender tool.
Each time an application is ran Windows 10 will check if it is a “good” application against their catalog of applications.
It’s a good security measure and is particular helpful at stopping malware spreading through email attachments – where some users do not understand the difference between a legitimate document and an application.
Why has SmartScreen prevented my application?
Either it’s a known bad or unknown application.
Sometimes SmartScreen will prevent applications you know are not bad – for example, it’s a CMD or VBS script you wrote, or a program from a trusted source.
How do I run an application SmartScreen has prevented?
If you’re absolutely sure you can trust the application you can run it by
- Click on the ‘More info’ link
- Click on the ‘Run anyway’ button.
How do I completely disable Window Defender SmartScreen?
This is NOT recommended.
- In the taskbar, search for “App & browser control” and click on it when it appears in the search results
- Under ‘Check apps and files’ select ‘Off’
- Click ‘OK’ when prompted to apply the changes.
Is SmartScreen a privacy issue?
Much like anything Microsoft – privacy is … unknown.
Microsoft have said that they are not keeping personally identifiable information such as your IP address – but they do collect it when communicating with their online system.
Personally, I think the security benefits of SmartScreen out way the privacy issues.
Wven if you were to disable it, Windows 10 is like a leaking sieve when it comes to privacy. If privacy were a concern it’s time to consider another operating system like Ubuntu.