What is smartscreen filter. What is SmartScreen and how do I turn it off? How much does it use PC resources

Windows 10 includes SmartScreen, a feature that helps protect your computer from loaded malware and malicious websites. The SmartScreen process - called "smartscreen.exe" - which you see in Task Manager, is responsible for this function.

The amount of processor and memory used should be fairly small and the whole process should be very fast, although larger files will take longer to process than smaller files. This check is performed only the first time you open the downloaded program or file, so it does not waste resources every time you open the application.

Is it possible to turn off SmartScreen

You cannot completely disable the SmartScreen process. Even if you turn off SmartScreen in Windows, the SmartScreen process will still start when you log on to your computer. However, it uses no CPU resources and only a few megabytes of memory. You can force this process to end from the Task Manager, but Windows will restart it automatically when needed.

To prevent the SmartScreen processor from using CPU and memory resources in background, turn off SmartScreen.

We do not recommend doing this! SmartScreen is a useful security tool that helps protect your PC from malware. Even if you have different installed software security, SmartScreen can protect you from something that your main security program might miss. In any case, it uses a small amount of system resources.

SmartScreen is a virus

We have not seen any reports of malware that mimics SmartScreen or smartscreen.exe. This process is part of Windows 10 and helps keep your PC safe from malware, although no security solution is perfect.

When working with Internet Explorer or Windows 8, you may encounter a warning when trying to download or run certain files. The content of the warning will be something like: "Files from the Internet can harm your computer" or "The operation of this program can compromise the security of your computer." Why is this happening, what does it mean, and how can I turn off such warnings? This article will answer all of these questions.

SmartScreen Filter Messages

In the tabletop Internet versions Explorer you can see the following messages: "Files downloaded from the Internet can harm your computer" or “SmartScreen has no information about this unsigned program. Launching can harm your computer. "

Let's find out why we are faced with such messages.

What is SmartScreen?

This feature has been added to Internet Explorer since version 8 to improve browser security. If the file you are about to download has already been downloaded by a large enough number of people and is considered safe, SmartScreen will allow you to download it without any problems or warnings. If no one has downloaded or downloaded the file yet, but not many times, you will receive a warning that the file may be unsafe. In addition, SmartScreen constantly checks the sites you visit for phishing sites in the regularly updated list. If a match is found, it displays a warning notifying that the site has been blocked for your own safety. On the one hand, it can be annoying when downloading files from not very popular sites, but on the other hand, it provides additional security for your computer.

In Windows 8, a similar function is implemented, but directly in Explorer, so you can see similar warnings when launching executable files. In general, the same principles apply as in Internet Explorer.

SmartScreen a useless feature?

Given the fact that this feature is really annoying from time to time, the following questions will be relevant: “Is it worth it? Is there any use from her? " Answer: "Yes". According to some security studies, Internet Explorer is the most secure browser, mainly due to this feature. One of good examples such a study: Internet Explorer 9 outperforms competing browsers in malware blocking test.

So, I have tried to explain what SmartScreen is, how it works and why it is important for the security of your computer. However, if you're sure SmartScreen is more annoying than it helps, read on to find out how to turn it off.

I'll start this tutorial by disabling the feature in Windows 8. Then I'll go through the process of disabling SmartScreen in Internet Explorer (versions 9 and 10).

Disable SmartScreen in Windows 8

Right button click on the "Support Center" icon and in the pop-up window select "Open Support Center".

In the Action Center window, take a look at the column on the left. Find the link "Changes Windows settings SmartScreen ”and click on it.

The Windows SmartScreen window appears. Activate the "Do nothing (disable Windows SmartScreen)" option, and then click "OK".

Done, SmartScreen is disabled, but only in Windows Explorer... If you want to disable the feature in Internet Explorer as well, keep reading.

Disable SmartScreen in Internet Explorer 9 and 10

Start Internet Explorer. If you're using Windows 8, open the desktop browser, not Metro. Then click on the "Service" button. In the menu that appears, select "Security" -> "Disable SmartScreen Filter".

Select Disable SmartScreen Filter and click OK.

You have now turned off SmartScreen in Internet Explorer as well.

To turn SmartScreen back on, you need to go through the same steps. If you have any questions about this feature, feel free to leave your comments.

Have a great day!

SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10 As in Windows 8, it protects the system from web attacks such as phishing and downloads of potentially dangerous and malicious software. This filter is built into operating system and Microsoft browsers: Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11.

This filter is based on cloud rating Microsoft system that collects information about all downloaded executable files (application reputation filter) and visited files (URL reputation check filter). Information about a site or file is analyzed and compared with the existing list of malicious sites and files. If a file is marked as unsafe or is not listed in the rating system, its download or execution is blocked by the SmartScreen filter.

So when trying to download unknown file using IE or Edge browser, its download may be blocked and the user is alerted by a notification.

This unsafe download blocked by SmartScreen Filter.

If executable file was downloaded using an alternative browser and copied to a Windows 10 computer over the network, the filter will be triggered when an attempt is made to run such a file and its execution will be blocked.

Note. One of the disadvantages of SmartScreen Filter is that it blocks most applications that are not digitally signed.

SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10 is turned on by default, but the administrator can change its settings or turn it off completely. You can enable and disable the filter separately for each of the system components: Windows, IE, Microsoft Edge and Windows Store Store. Let's take a look at how to change the SmartScreen filter settings.

Important... To keep your PC safe, it is not recommended to completely disable SmartScreen.

Disable SmartScreen from Windows Control Panel

To change filter settings, open the classic control panel ( Win + R -> control) and go to the section Security and Maintenance... In the left column, click on the button Change Windows SmartScreen Settings.

The following options are available:

• Get administrator approval before running an unrecognized application from the Internet recommended)- Request administrator approval before launching an unidentified application from the Internet (recommended)
• Warm before running an unrecognized app, but don’t require administrator approval- Warn before executing an unrecognized application, but do not require administrator approval
• Don’t do anything (Turn off smartScreen)- do nothing (disable Windows SmartScreen)

After disabling the SmartScreen system filter, a notification appears periodically asking you to enable it.

To hide these notifications, click on the link Turn off messages about Windows SmartScreen.

Configuring SmartScreen Using Group Policies

You can also customize SmartScreen settings in Windows 10 using Group Policies. If you are customizing local computer, open the local editor group policy(console) pressing Win + R-> gpedit.msc... Go to section Computer configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> File Explorer and find a policy Configure Windows SmartScreen.

Enable the policy and select one of the modes:

• Require approval from an administrator before running downloaded unknown software- require administrator approval before executing downloaded unknown software
• Give user a warning before running downloaded unknown software- warn user before executing downloaded unknown software
• Turn off SmartScreen- disable SmartScreen

Click OK, and to apply the policy changes, run the command:

Advice... If the SmartScreen Filter mode is set through Group Policy, you cannot change its settings through Control Panel.

Setting up SmartScreen through the registry

SmartScreen filter settings can be defined in the system registry. To do this, run regedit.exe and go to the branch HKLM \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer... Find the key named SmartScreenEnabled.

Its value can be one of the following:

• RequireAdmin- require administrator confirmation
• Prompt- ask for user confirmation
• Off- disable

Select the desired filter mode and restart your computer.

SmartScreen in the Windows Store

SmartScreen also analyzes the URLs of sites accessed by Modern Apps. In some cases, it can block network access some applications. To prevent this from happening, you can turn off the application of the filter to modern Windows applications Store.

Go to Settings (Win + I) -> Privacy -> General... Find and disable the switch Turn on SmartScreen Filter to check web content (URLs) that Windows Store apps use.

The same can be configured through the registry. To do this, in the branch HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ you need to create a new parameter of type DWORD (32-bit) with the name EnableWebContentEvaluation and the value 0 .

Smart Screen in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge also has a separate SmartScreen filter setting. To disable it, go to the section Preferences(button in the upper right corner of the browser).

Press Advanced Settings and disable the option Help protect me from malicious sites and downloads with SmartScreen Filter.

The same operation is performed through the registry by creating a DWORD parameter named EnabledV9 and the value 0 in the branch HCU \ SOFTWARE \ Classes \ Local Settings \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ AppContainer \ Storage \ microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe \ MicrosoftEdge \ PhishingFilter .

Smart Screen Filter in Internet Explorer

In Internet Explorer, you can turn off SmartScreen Filter like this:

1. Launch Internet Explorer
2. Click on the gear in the upper right corner and expand the section Safety
3. Click on the menu item Turn Off SmartScreen

1. Select Turn off SmartScreen Filter.

To disable SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer through the registry, run the following command:

REG ADD "HKCU \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ PhishingFilter" / v EnabledV9 / t REG_DWORD / d 0 / f

So, in this article, we covered the basic techniques for managing SmartScreen filter settings in Windows 10.

Windows 8 has many secrets and "tricks", the principle of operation and operation of which can be understood immediately. Well, one of these options was Windows function SmartScreen. Since the system was created by the developers, this option is enabled by default.

What does this give the user?

In fact, sometimes it turns out that there is little that is pleasant. The filter is engaged in the fact that it monitors the applications installed on the device, from time to time "pampering" the user with their simple warnings about the security status of a particular program. In general, the operating principles are fairly straightforward and simple.
SmartScreen carries with it a great rational, positive beginning: it helps users to recognize where the normal program is, and where the potentially dangerous one (with some vicissitudes, but still).

In addition to all this, Windows SmartScreen is endowed with the ability to send a certain category of data, certain information to Microsoft servers.

To work or not to work with this "chip" is up to you. But one thing is for sure: if you want to disable all options, you should pay attention to the information that will be given below.

What happens when the options are enabled?

In total, the three most significant "pillars" can be distinguished:

Requiring confirmation from the administrator before launching the downloaded unknown software. Like something like this: "Do you really confirm the launch of the program on behalf of the administrator?" (pictures and threat icons are attached).
Warn the user before executing unknown software
Disable the work of SmartScreen, which has already frankly got out with its warnings.

Several pluses shutdown windows SmartScreen

It should be said that the obvious and visible problem of the presence of surveillance over the installation of unknown software, included by default, is just the tip of the iceberg.

In fact, it is worth digressing and trying to look a little deeper, to appreciate the very essence of this problem. The operation of Windows SmartScreen is a violation of the privacy of information and those actions that are performed by users. Sometimes one gets the impression that new technologies, which seem to serve for the benefit of mankind and its development, turn out to be an attempt to "control" the entire population (and, most surprisingly, by our own will). The problem has been discussed more than once, which is related to the use of the same Skype and existing on this moment social networks, in the user agreement of which the possibility of "draining" information about a specific user in a particular case is directly prescribed (a special procedure is used and all that). Not so long ago, another "novelty" appeared, which is perceived ambiguously. It is associated with the "revolution in fingerprints", with the help of which the security of the user's devices will be ensured (maybe something else?).

Windows tool SmartScreen is just a kind of "lever" that may not always be used, not in all cases, but potentially has a place to be. If Windows SmartScreen collects information about users, it means there is a potential for pressure on Microsoft in the future. The purpose of the pressure is to issue private information, private information to government agencies, as well as to legal representatives of the owners of certain copyrights. The flow of information that moves slowly but surely from your computer has the potential to be intercepted by hackers. Without big problems you can study and understand which programs are installed by the user, what features they have, and so on.

How do i disable Dangerous SmartScreen?

Method number one.

In the panel Windows management you need to find the Support Center. The left column should grab your attention with an option called Change Windows SmartScreen Settings. Here you need to select the tab called "Do nothing / disable Windows SmartScreen"

Method number two.

Win + R.
gpedit.msc (this is needed to get the Local Group Policy Editor to work)
Computer configuration
Administrative Templates
Windows components
Configure Windows SmartScreen (select what you need in the window).

As you can see, the second option is several times longer. As they say, for those who are not looking for easy ways. Well, as for the question of whether to disable or not disable Windows work SmartScreen, it is up to users to decide.

Reading time: 35 min

First you need to decide what kind of beast this SmartScreen is and what it is for. This function has been introduced into use since Windows 8, its purpose is to provide protection to the user from launching untrusted files, dubious sites or downloading viral applications.

This filter is used by developers for certain parts of the system, mainly Internet Explorer and Explorer itself. Accordingly, the threats from which SmartScreen helps to protect itself differ, or these are files of a suspicious manufacturer, or sites to which trust has not yet been shown.

Now it is worth considering the algorithm for the operation of this function in your system, first using the example of a browser. Internet Explorer submits a request to the application database before loading and rendering the site. In the database itself, matches are looked for and, if they are, you will be presented with a window with a warning about the threat. Sites can get into the corresponding database for several reasons, one of them is that this site is really engaged in the spread of viruses, the other reason is that this resource is little visited and SmartScreen has no reason to believe that the resource can be trusted.

The explorer applications are checked in a similar way, because in reality, any exe file, that is, an executable file, is capable of causing damage to the computer.

See also: Why exe files do not start?

Any restrictions, even to protect the user, have another side, namely, they are very intrusive and not always justifiably block the launch of the application. In this regard, it becomes necessary to disable or at least limit the power of this function over the system. If you are not sure of your knowledge or have little skills in working with a computer, then you should think carefully about whether you should disable this protection.

As an alternative to this function, you can use other third-party counterparts that can better cope with similar tasks. Antivirus programs a huge variety, market leaders should be preferred, since they are always actively looking for and eliminating new virus code, respectively, the likelihood of encountering this problem will be reduced to a minimum.

Changing SmartScreen Settings Using Control Panel

1. Go to the "Control Panel" this is done either by using the "Start" button, or hotkey Win + X;

5. Choose the one that suits you and save the change.

Protection options

1. Ask for approval - this way you can decide whether you really trust the resource and whether you need the content enough to take the risk;

2.Warning - you will not have any interference from SmartScreen, but information about the dubious file manufacturer will be presented;

3. Do nothing - accordingly, in other words, complete shutdown functions.

See also: How to disable SmartScreen Filter in Windows 10?

Disable SmartScreen with Group Policy Editor

You only have this editor if Windows 10 Pro or a higher version is installed, since there is simply no such function in the home one.

1.Open the line "Run" to do this, press Win + R;

2. Enter the name of the service gpedit.msc;

3. After that you need to go to the "Computer Configuration" tab;

5.Now find "Windows Components";

6.Last station "Explorer";

7.Now you need to change the value of the "Configure Windows SmartScreen" variable by double-clicking;

8.In the left menu, you should set the state to the "Enabled" position, and already, in the "Parameters" drop-down list, set the active state to disabled.

Editing SmartScreen Settings Using the Registry

As always, in the end, there remains a surgical, that is, a manual method of changing the application settings through the registry editor.

1. Start the line "Run" use the hotkeys Win + R;

2.Set the word regedit;

3.Now follow the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer, without changing anything extraneous;

4. You need a parameter that is responsible for the state of our function, it is called SmartScreenEnabled, open it by double clicking;

5. There are 3 types of possible values, they are presented in the same order that we have already considered: RequireAdmin, Prompt, Off.

For consideration, there was the last case that takes place in the life of a PC user.

Since SmartScreen checks all Urls, it becomes necessary to disable this filter, because it can block correct work applications.

Disable SmartScreen for Apps

1. You should open "Options", this is done from the notification panel or Win + I;

2. Go to the "Privacy" window;

3.On the "General" tab, you will see an option whose name speaks for itself "Disable SmartScreen Filter ...".

On this, all the problems associated with the filter should be resolved. Don't focus all your attention on maximizing performance at the expense of compromising security, as Microsoft designed this function not by chance, which means it has a place in your Windows.