Windows 10 is an operating system that becomes more secure and protected against malicious programs with each new version, with the small inconvenience, at times, of preventing some trivial operations because they are considered risky. For example, when you download an app or program that is not recognized as safe by Windows 10, it is blocked by the security setting known as Windows Smartscreen or Defender SmartScreen . Windows Defender SmartScreen acts as a kind of watchdog while using the computer, blocking some apps and programs and preventing the user from opening them if they come from an unknown place or if they were created by an unknown publisher.
In this article, therefore, we will see how to solve the problem if an app is blocked for the purpose of protection, keeping in mind that if a program were really harmful, the PC could be affected by malware so directly that it is also put out of the game. the antivirus. You should therefore use this procedure only if you have confidence and certainty that the program to be executed is safe or if you have experience in recovering in case of infection.
Then click on the box next to Unlock so that a checkmark appears and then click Apply .
The file should therefore be treated as secure by SmartScreen and will be allowed to open it.
If the file is still locked or as an alternative procedure, you can run that file or program using an administrator account. This can be done in two ways, by clicking on it with the right mouse button and then pressing on Run as administrator, or by opening a command prompt as administrator and launching the file from there. In case you don't have administrator access, I refer you to the guide to activate the administrator account in Windows 10.
In summary, you have to press the Start button with the right key, then open a command prompt as administrator, then run the command net user administrator / active: yes . At this point, you can switch Windows 10 users by logging in with the administrator account activated and running the program. At the end, go back to your Windows account and deactivate the administrator account by typing in the command prompt: net user administrator / active: no
To find Windows Defender settings, open the Start menu and look for Windows Security which opens as an app. In the Windows security control panel, press on the App and browser control box and then press on Disabled at the Check apps and files option.
SmartScreen is now completely disabled. Instead of setting it to Off, it would be better to use the Warn option so that you know at least when attention is required (especially if you want to deactivate forever). You can also use the Warn option in the subsequent settings of the Windows Smartscreen, for Edge and for the Apps of the Microsoft Store.
A better solution than this is certainly to run that program in the Windows 10 Sandbox
READ ALSO: How to limit or disable UAC control
In this article, therefore, we will see how to solve the problem if an app is blocked for the purpose of protection, keeping in mind that if a program were really harmful, the PC could be affected by malware so directly that it is also put out of the game. the antivirus. You should therefore use this procedure only if you have confidence and certainty that the program to be executed is safe or if you have experience in recovering in case of infection.
How to open a file blocked by Windows Defender SmartScreen
If you download an .exe file or a program to install that we know to be safe and when we try to open it, the message appears that the app has been blocked for protection, then you must right-click on that blocked file and go to the Properties .Then click on the box next to Unlock so that a checkmark appears and then click Apply .
The file should therefore be treated as secure by SmartScreen and will be allowed to open it.
If the file is still locked or as an alternative procedure, you can run that file or program using an administrator account. This can be done in two ways, by clicking on it with the right mouse button and then pressing on Run as administrator, or by opening a command prompt as administrator and launching the file from there. In case you don't have administrator access, I refer you to the guide to activate the administrator account in Windows 10.
In summary, you have to press the Start button with the right key, then open a command prompt as administrator, then run the command net user administrator / active: yes . At this point, you can switch Windows 10 users by logging in with the administrator account activated and running the program. At the end, go back to your Windows account and deactivate the administrator account by typing in the command prompt: net user administrator / active: no
How to disable Windows Defender SmartScreen
Although not recommended, SmartScreen can be disabled via Windows Defender settings. If you do this, it is advisable to reactivate it immediately after doing what you wanted to do.To find Windows Defender settings, open the Start menu and look for Windows Security which opens as an app. In the Windows security control panel, press on the App and browser control box and then press on Disabled at the Check apps and files option.
SmartScreen is now completely disabled. Instead of setting it to Off, it would be better to use the Warn option so that you know at least when attention is required (especially if you want to deactivate forever). You can also use the Warn option in the subsequent settings of the Windows Smartscreen, for Edge and for the Apps of the Microsoft Store.
A better solution than this is certainly to run that program in the Windows 10 Sandbox
READ ALSO: How to limit or disable UAC control
