Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Windows 11

This post shows students and new users steps to turn Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on or off for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11. By default, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen will warn users of sites and downloads used by Microsoft Store apps that are potentially dangerous. This can help protect users and devices from malware and viruses.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is turned on and helps protect your device by checking for unrecognized apps and files from the Microsoft Store. If you try to download a suspicious app, SmartScreen will show you a warning screen, identify the suspected threat, and allow you to stop before anything wrong happens.

These protections are built into Windows and work with Microsoft Defender Endpoint on your device and in the cloud. In addition, Microsoft Security includes additional protection such as controlled folder access, real-time protection, Tamper protection, ransomware protection, and phishing protection.

Below is how to turn off or on Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps in Windows 11

How to enable or disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps in Windows 11

As mentioned above, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen will warn users of sites and downloads used by Microsoft Store apps that are potentially dangerous. This can help protect users and devices from malware and viruses.

Turn on or off SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps:

In the search box on the taskbar, type Windows Security and select Windows Security in the results list.

Select the App & browser control tile in Windows Security, as highlighted in the image below.

On the App & browser control settings page, under Reputation-based protection, click the Reputation-based protection settings link as highlighted below.

On the Reputation-based protection settings page, under SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps, toggle the button to On or Off to enable or disable apps and files checking with Microsoft Defender.

There are two modes one can choose from:

• On. Warns users that the sites and downloads used by Microsoft Store apps are potentially dangerous but allows the action to continue.
• Off. Turns off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, so a user isn’t alerted or stopped from visiting sites or downloading potentially malicious apps and files.

You can close the Windows Settings app when done.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps provides warnings for potentially dangerous sites and downloads, enhancing device security.
• By enabling SmartScreen, users can receive alerts and identify potential threats from unrecognized apps and files.
• Users can toggle SmartScreen on or off, allowing or blocking potentially dangerous actions related to Microsoft Store apps.
• This feature is integrated into Windows and works with Microsoft Defender Endpoint and other security measures such as Controlled folder access, Real-time protection, Tamper protection, ransomware protection, and Phishing protection.
• Users can manage SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps through the Windows Security app by following the provided steps.