How to Enable Scareware Blocker in Windows 11 Edge

This guide explains how to turn the Scareware blocker on or off in Microsoft Edge. It works for your personal account or for every user on your Windows 11 computer.

Why use Scareware blocker?

Scareware scams try to trick you into thinking your computer has a virus. They use aggressive pop-ups to force you to call a fake support number. The Scareware blocker uses smart technology to spot these fake sites and keeps your browser under your control.

What happens when done?

When the blocker is on, Edge will automatically exit full-screen mode if it detects a scam. It will also stop loud noises and show you a warning so you can safely leave the site.

Option One: Change 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 Two: Change settings for all users (Registry)

Note: You must be signed in as an administrator to use these steps.

This method uses the registry to enforce settings for everyone on the computer. 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 Three: Manage scam site blocking for all users

Note: You must be signed in as an administrator to use these steps.

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 Four: Manage scam sharing for all users

Note: You must be signed in as an administrator to use these steps.

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 is a security feature in Microsoft Edge that protects you from fake websites designed to trick you. You can easily toggle it in your browser settings, or use registry edits if you are an administrator who needs to manage these settings for multiple users on the same computer.