In Windows 10 there is an additional security feature that prevents executable files, potentially harmful such as viruses and malware, from running. This protection is called SmartScreen filter, introduced to block automatic malicious installations that can be performed on the computer. The Smartscreen filter was designed to protect novice users from threats that come from unauthorized software and applications that can ruin the functioning of the computer. SmartScreen collects information about the program, including the name of the executable file, typically an .exe file, hash code and digital signature (if available), and sends the information to a Microsoft server on the Internet (at //apprep.smartscreen .microsoft.com ).
The protection blocks the execution of exe files downloaded from the internet by showing a message on the full screen and the user can accept the message or, if you want to overcome the block and run that program anyway, you must click on the small link " More information " ( but if you are not an administrator it does not appear).
In some cases, when the warning message " PC protected by Windows " appears, even if you click on more information, the only button available remains that of " Do not execute " and there is no possibility to go on even with rights as administrator.
If you are in this situation, just click with the right mouse button on the file to be executed and then go to the Properties. In the general tab, at the bottom, you will find written: the file comes from another computer. To facilitate the protection of the computer it may be locked . Next to it there is the Undo Block option only by clicking to be able to execute the file as normal. Obviously this should only be done if you are sure that it is not a malicious file.
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This security setting can be useful to everyone, but it can be a nuisance for those who know what they are doing, for those who know how to recognize dangerous downloads and for those who download programs from the internet very frequently. Disabling Windows Smartscreen makes it possible to open and install applications and files downloaded from the Internet without precautions (even if there is always antivirus).
Although personally I would still leave Smartscreen protection active to have a preventive shield that you can always bypass at any time, let's see how to disable Windows Defender Smartscreen from Windows 10 .
Open the Start menu and press the gear key to open Windows 10 Settings (or press the Window-I keys together). Go to Update and Security and then press on open the list of all the elements of the control panel and select Security and maintenance and then press on Windows Security .
Once here, you can click the " App and browser control " button. where some options appear. We are interested in the first one, Check app and files which can have three options: Warn, Block and Disabled .
Putting it on Disabled will remove the block from the Windows Defender Smartscreen exe files. It would be better to use the Warn option instead, to receive an alert warning when a program or exe file is considered unsafe.
READ ALSO: How to limit or disable UAC control
