When I click on the downloaded file to run it, Windows displays a pop up saying 'Windows protected your PC Windows Defender Smartscreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.' This pop up offers a single button 'Don't run', and in small print off to the side 'More info' is underlined. Clicking 'More info' displays App: HamApps.JTAlert2.10.12Setup.exe Publisher: Unknown publisher, and displays two buttons 'Don't run' and 'Run Anyway'. FIX: SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. When you try to install a certain software or an app that is not included in the windows store, a warning message pops up automatically to notify you that it may not be a safe choice to install; but on a gentler note it still gives you an option to run the program anyway.
We've all been there. You read about a great little traditional desktop application or utility that you think will be a great help. Once it's downloaded, boom!, Windows 10 blocks it thanks to Windows Defender SmartScreen, a feature that prevents unrecognized apps from running. It's a helpful security feature that can sometimes be annoying. Here's how to get past it.
Are you sure you want to do this?
Before we go any further, keep in mind that the SmartScreen is there for your protection. It is designed to restrict any programs that are known to be malicious or aren't commonly downloaded. For that reason, anything experimental or outside the norm is not trusted by Windows.
Nevertheless, if you trust the creator of the program that you want to install, here's how to get past it.
Getting past SmartScreen on a case-by-case basis
When SmartScreen appears it usually says the app you want to install is unrecognized. The filter then leaves you with only one button to push: Don't run.
By showing only one option, Microsoft hopes to prevent the majority of users from running untrusted apps, because many won't bother to look beyond that single button.
If you still want to take the risk and proceed, click the More info link at the end of the warning paragraph.
When you click that, you then see a window like this one at left, with a new option: Run anyway. Click that, and you're all set. The program will start installing as normal.
Turn it off, turn it off!
You may do away with the SmartScreen entirely. (Feeling lucky?) In the Creators Update, Open Windows Defender Security Center and click App & browser control. Under the sub-heading Check apps and files, select the Off button.
Now SmartScreen won't block any apps, but that may also put your PC at greater risk if you're not careful.
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Windows 10 includes a number of built-in security features that are designed to protect your PC from the dangers of criminal websites and malicious apps. One of these features, called Windows Defender SmartScreen, prevents you from running certain apps that are either known to be malicious (e.g., viruses and malware) or unrecognized by Microsoft’s database of popular Windows software.
Unless you’re a security researcher running tests, everyone should be happy that SmartScreen blocks known malicious apps. It’s the second category of merely unknown apps, however, where SmartScreen can go from helpful to annoying.
For example, if you attempt to run or install an application that Windows doesn’t recognize, you’ll see a window appear like the one below, warning you that “Windows protected your PC” and “prevented an unrecognized app from starting.”
The issue is that there appears to be only one choice when faced with this warning: “Don’t run.” If you’re completely sure that the app you’re trying to launch is safe and was obtained from a trustworthy source, there’s thankfully a quick, albeit non-obvious workaround for this. After all, why shouldn’t you be able to run any application that’s compatible with Windows?
Unless you’re a security researcher running tests, everyone should be happy that SmartScreen blocks known malicious apps. It’s the second category of merely unknown apps, however, where SmartScreen can go from helpful to annoying.
For example, if you attempt to run or install an application that Windows doesn’t recognize, you’ll see a window appear like the one below, warning you that “Windows protected your PC” and “prevented an unrecognized app from starting.”
The issue is that there appears to be only one choice when faced with this warning: “Don’t run.” If you’re completely sure that the app you’re trying to launch is safe and was obtained from a trustworthy source, there’s thankfully a quick, albeit non-obvious workaround for this. After all, why shouldn’t you be able to run any application that’s compatible with Windows?
Windows Defender SmartScreen Workaround
When you’re faced with the warning screen above and, again, you’re absolutely sure that the app is safe, you can just find and click on the More info text, highlighted below:
This will reveal some new information and options. First, you’ll see the complete filename of the app or installer that’s trying to run, and beneath it you’ll see the app’s publisher as long as the developer is registered with Microsoft. This gives you one more chance to make sure you’re about to run the app you think it is.
Don’t panic if the publisher field is listed as Unknown. Not every developer or publisher registers with Microsoft and the absence of information in this field doesn’t mean that app is dangerous. However, it should cause you to double check and make sure, once again, that you’re running the right app from the correct source.
If everything looks good, you’ll notice that there’s a new Run anyway button at the bottom of the window. Just click it to finish bypassing Windows Defender SmartScreen. Note, however, that if the app requires admin privileges, you’ll still need to approve it via the familiar User Account Control interface.
This will reveal some new information and options. First, you’ll see the complete filename of the app or installer that’s trying to run, and beneath it you’ll see the app’s publisher as long as the developer is registered with Microsoft. This gives you one more chance to make sure you’re about to run the app you think it is.
Don’t panic if the publisher field is listed as Unknown. Not every developer or publisher registers with Microsoft and the absence of information in this field doesn’t mean that app is dangerous. However, it should cause you to double check and make sure, once again, that you’re running the right app from the correct source.
If everything looks good, you’ll notice that there’s a new Run anyway button at the bottom of the window. Just click it to finish bypassing Windows Defender SmartScreen. Note, however, that if the app requires admin privileges, you’ll still need to approve it via the familiar User Account Control interface.
Turn Off Windows Defender SmartScreen
The workaround described above is a good compromise between security and the flexibility to run the apps you want. But if you would prefer to not use SmartScreen for your apps at all, you can disable it in the Windows Defender settings. Here’s how.
First, head to the desktop, click on Cortana (or the Windows search icon if Cortana is disabled), and search for Windows Defender Security Center. Launch the result as you see in the screenshot below.
From the Windows Defender Security Center, select the App & browser control section from the sidebar on the left (it’s second from the bottom and looks like an application window with a title bar). Finally, under the Check apps and files section on the right, choose Off.
You’ll need to authenticate with admin privileges to confirm the change, and Windows will warn you that your PC may now be more vulnerable to malicious apps (which is true). If you’re careful, however, and only run apps from known trusted sources, experienced users who wish to leave this feature disabled should be fine. If you’re not comfortable leaving it turned off, you can always turn SmartScreen back on again by repeating the steps above.
First, head to the desktop, click on Cortana (or the Windows search icon if Cortana is disabled), and search for Windows Defender Security Center. Launch the result as you see in the screenshot below.
From the Windows Defender Security Center, select the App & browser control section from the sidebar on the left (it’s second from the bottom and looks like an application window with a title bar). Finally, under the Check apps and files section on the right, choose Off.
You’ll need to authenticate with admin privileges to confirm the change, and Windows will warn you that your PC may now be more vulnerable to malicious apps (which is true). If you’re careful, however, and only run apps from known trusted sources, experienced users who wish to leave this feature disabled should be fine. If you’re not comfortable leaving it turned off, you can always turn SmartScreen back on again by repeating the steps above.