Enable or Disable SmartScreen Filter for Microsoft Edge in Windows 10

How to Enable or Disable SmartScreen Filter for Microsoft Edge in Windows 10

Microsoft Edge is a new web browser that is available across the Windows 10 device family. It is designed for Windows 10 to be faster, safer, and compatible with the modern Web.

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.

If you enable this setting, SmartScreen Filter is always turned on and users can't turn it off.

If you disable this setting, SmartScreen Filter is always turned off and users can't turn it on.

If you set this setting to be not configured, users can choose to turn SmartScreen Filter on or off for their account.

This tutorial will show you how to force the SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge to always be on or off for all users in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable the SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge.

CONTENTS:

Option One: To Enable or Disable SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge using Group Policy
Option Two: To Enable or Disable SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge using a REG file

EXAMPLE: SmartScreen Filter settings in Microsoft Edge when enabled or disabled

OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge using Group Policy

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Two below.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Defender SmartScreen/Microsoft Edge

3. In the right pane of Microsoft Edge in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen Filter policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 (Not configured - default), or step 6 (enable - always on), step 7 (disable - always off) below for what you would like to do.

5. To Set SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge to Default

A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)

6. To Enable (always on) SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)

7. To Disable (always off) SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge

A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)

8. When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.

9. If you currently have Microsoft Edge open, then close and reopen it to apply.

OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge using a REG file

The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\PhishingFilter

EnabledV9 DWORD

(delete) = Default (users can choose)
0 = Disable (always off)
1 = Enable (always on)

1. Do step 2 (default), step 3 (enable), or step 4 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2. To Set SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge to Default

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Default_SmartScreen_user_choice_Microsoft_Edge.reg

Download

3. To Enable (always on) SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Force_SmartScreen_Always_On_Microsoft_Edge.reg

Download

4. To Disable (always off) SmartScreen Filter in Microsoft Edge

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Force_SmartScreen_Always_Off_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 you currently have Microsoft Edge open, then close and reopen it to apply.

9. If you like, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file.

That's it,
Shawn

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