disable microsoft defender smartscreen feature image

Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Edge

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen filter is a built-in tool that automatically scans applications, files, downloads, and websites, and blocking the Known dangerous content, and warns you before you run unknown applications. Also, SmartScreen protects against phishing or malware websites and applications and avoids the downloading of potentially malicious files. If you are wondering how Microsoft Defender SmartScreen determines whether a site is potentially malicious. Then here is the answer for this, first Defender SmartScreen analyzes Visited webpages looking for indications of suspicious behavior. If the site contains any suspicious behavior then it will show a warning message. Also, it will check that the Visited sites against a dynamic list of reported phishing sites and malicious software sites. If it finds any match then, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen will immediately show a warning message. By default, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is enabled in Windows 10, and disabling it will potential risk to your system. But sometimes if you want to download any third-party software from unknown sources. That time you need to disable it, this article will guide you to Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Edge.

Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Edge:

You can enable or disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in three different methods. Let’s see the methods in detail.

Using Windows Defender Settings:

Open the Windows Security app from the Start menu, or search for Windows Security in the Search box.

From the Left-hand side click on the App & browser control, and from the right-hand side click on the Reputation-based protection settings. Click on it.

reputation based protection

And under Reputation-based protection settings, look for SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge toggle button. Turn off the Toggle Button.

Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

This will disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Edge.

Using Group Policy Editor:

Open Run command by pressing Windows + R and type gpedit.msc and hit enter. This will open the Group Policy Editor.

Now Navigate to the following path.

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Classic Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > SmartScreen settings

If you are not able to find a path, then you need to install Group Policy Templates for Microsoft Edge.

Once you install Group Policy Templates, then navigate to the above-mentioned path.

 From the Left-hand side click on the SmartScreen Settings and from the right-hand side, Look for the Policy named Force Microsoft Defender SmartScreen checks on downloads from trusted sources.

Policy settings

Double click on it and open the Policy settings and choose Disable if you want to disable the SmartScreen settings. Enable it back if you want the protection back.

Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen using gpedit

Using Registry Editor:

Note: Modifying the Registry is risky, and it causes irreversible damage to your OS Installation Follow the steps correctly. Friendly advice Before Modifying Registry Creating Restore Point is recommended.

Open Run command by pressing Windows + R and type regedit and hit enter. This command will open the Registry Editor Console.

Now Navigate to the following path.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

From the left-hand side, right-click on the Microsoft registry key and choose New > Key and name it as Edge.

Next right click on the Edge and Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. And name it as SmartScreenForTrustedDownloadsEnabled.

Double click on the SmartScreenForTrustedDownloadsEnabled DWORD and set the value as mentioned below.

To Disable SmartScreen 0

To Enable SmartScreen 1

Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen using regedit

Click on Ok and Close the Registry Editor.

Read Also:

Fix SmartScreen can’t be reached right now error in Windows 11/10

How to Permanently Disable Microsoft Defender in Windows 11?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top