How to Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge in Windows 10
Microsoft has adopted the Chromium open source project in the development of Microsoft Edge on the desktop to create better web compatibility. This new Microsoft Edge runs on the same Chromium web engine as the Google Chrome browser, offering you best in class web compatibility and performance.
The new Chromium based Microsoft Edge is supported on all versions of Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server (2016 and above), Windows Server (2008 R2 to 2012 R2), and macOS.
Starting with Windows 10 version 2004, Windows Defender SmartScreen as been renamed to Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
SmartScreen Filter is a feature in Microsoft Edge that helps detect phishing websites. SmartScreen Filter can also help protect you from downloading or installing malware (malicious software). SmartScreen Filter helps to protect you in three ways:
- As you browse the web, it analyses webpages and determines if they have any characteristics that might be suspicious. If it finds suspicious webpages, SmartScreen will display a message giving you an opportunity to provide feedback and advising you to proceed with caution.
- SmartScreen Filter checks the sites you visit against a dynamic list of reported phishing sites and malicious software sites. If it finds a match, SmartScreen Filter will show you a warning notifying you that the site has been blocked for your safety.
- SmartScreen Filter checks files that you download from the web against a list of reported malicious software sites and programs known to be unsafe. If it finds a match, SmartScreen Filter will warn you that the download has been blocked for your safety. SmartScreen Filter also checks the files that you download against a list of files that are well known and downloaded by many Microsoft Edge users. If the file that you're downloading isn't on that list, SmartScreen Filter will warn you.
- In addition to blocking an unsafe site, SmartScreen will also navigate away from and unload the page. This will completely block any audio and replace the site's contents with the prominent, red SmartScreen safety message.
See also:
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen | Microsoft Docs
- Microsoft Edge support for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen | Microsoft Docs
- Set up and use Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on individual devices | Microsoft Docs
- What is SmartScreen and how can it help protect me? | Microsoft Support
This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge for your account in Windows 10.
It is recommended to leave SmartScreen Filter turned on in Microsoft Edge to better protect your PC.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Edge Settings
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge in Windows Security
- Option Three: Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge using a REG file
EXAMPLE: SmartScreen Filter with Unsafe Website and Unsafe Download
Safe test site: Windows Defender SmartScreen Demo
1 Open Microsoft Edge.
2 Click/tap on the Settings and more (Alt+F) 3 dots menu icon, and click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Privacy and services in the left pane, turn on (default) or off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on the right side under Services. (see screenshot below)
If you do not see a left pane, then either click/tap on the 3 bars menu button towards the top left OR widen the horizontal borders of the Microsoft Edge window until you do.
The Block potentially unwanted apps setting will be grayed out unless you turn on the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen setting above it.
4 You can now close the Settings tab in Microsoft Edge if you like.
1 Open Windows Security, and click/tap on the App & browser control icon.
2 Click/tap on the Reputation-based protection settings link. (see screenshot below)
3 Under SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, select Block, Warn (default), or Off for what you want to set. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now close Windows Security if you like.
The downloadable .reg files below make changes to the DWORD values in the registry key below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge\PhishingFilter
EnabledV9 DWORD
0 = Off
1 = Block or Warn
PreventOverride DWORD
0 = Off or Warn
1 = Block
1 Do step 2 (block), step 3 (warn), step 4 (off) or below for what you want to set.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Set_SmartScreen_for_Microsoft_Edge_to_Block.reg
Download
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Set_SmartScreen_for_Microsoft_Edge_to_Warn.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Turn_Off_SmartScreen_for_Microsoft_Edge.reg
Download
5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If Microsoft Edge is currently open, then close and reopen Microsoft Edge to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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