How to Enable Scareware Blocker in Windows 11 Edge

Option 1Change settings for your account

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the Settings and more button (the 3 dots in the top right corner) and select Settings.
   

3. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left.
4. Scroll down to the Security section.
   

To Turn On Scareware Blocker:

• Make sure Scareware blocker is turned on.
• If you are on version 142 or higher, you can also toggle Block sites detected as scams.
• You can also choose to toggle Share detected scam sites with Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
  

To Turn Off Scareware Blocker:

• Simply toggle the Scareware blocker switch to off.
  

• Close the settings ⚙️ tab when you are finished.

Option 2Change settings for all users (Registry)

Registry Editor (a tool for changing advanced Windows settings ⚙️) lets you turn on the scareware blocker Edge feature for every user account on your computer at the same time. This method forces the setting on globally, locking the option so other people using the PC cannot turn it off in their browser settings.

Using these settings will gray out the options in the main menu for other users.

Always Enable Scareware Blocker:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ScarewareBlockerProtectionEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Disable Scareware Blocker:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ScarewareBlockerProtectionEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Default User Choice:

reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ScarewareBlockerProtectionEnabled /f

Option 3Manage scam site blocking for all users

Registry Editor lets administrators control scam site blocking for all user accounts in Microsoft Edge by adding a specific command line. This ensures every person who logs into the computer stays protected from online tech support scams and dangerous websites without needing to change individual browser settings.

Always Enable:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ScarewareBlockerBlocksDetectedSitesEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Disable:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ScarewareBlockerBlocksDetectedSitesEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Default User Choice:

reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ScarewareBlockerBlocksDetectedSitesEnabled /f

Option 4Manage scam sharing for all users

Registry Editor lets administrators decide whether Microsoft Edge shares detected scam site data with Microsoft on behalf of all computer users. Turning off this data sharing stops the browser from sending threat details to SmartScreen (a security feature that checks files and websites for safety) across every user account.

Disable:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ScarewareBlockerSendDetectedSitesToSmartScreenEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Default User Choice:

reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ScarewareBlockerSendDetectedSitesToSmartScreenEnabled /f

References: Protecting more Edge users with expanded Scareware blocker availability and real-time protection Stand up to scareware with scareware blocker, now available in preview in Microsoft Edge Scareware blocker | Microsoft Edge Microsoft Edge Browser Policy Documentation ScarewareBlockerAllowListDomains

Summary

The Scareware blocker in Edge is a handy tool that stops you from visiting fake websites trying to trick you, and you can easily switch it on or off in your browser settings.