How do I turn off Windows 8 SmartScreen? SmartScreen Filter is a security feature that was first introduced in Windows 8. This useful feature is still available on Windows 10 and even Windows 11. When users try to download or run a particular program, SmartScreen may display a warning that “it is”. is downloaded infrequently and could harm your computer ”,“ This program could be harmful to your PC ”, or“ This unsafe download was blocked by the SmartScreen filter ”.
It is not always right for you to download or run a dangerous program on your computer. If a lot of Windows users are already using a program, Microsoft considers it safe and SmartScreen lets you download and install it without warning. However, if you try to download or install a newly developed program, Windows will display a SmartScreen filter. The SmartScreen is warning you that this may not be a safe choice. Once you are sure that the program you downloaded is safe and that the website is genuine, you can proceed by clicking the Run Anyway button.
The SmartScreen Filter becomes irritating when you download a less popular application and it prevents Windows from running or even downloading it. It’s not anti-virus software, but it still scans our PC for threats and blocks various applications from running. If you don’t like this feature, you can turn it off through the Control Panel and Microsoft Edge.
How do I disable the SmartScreen filter in the control panel in Windows 8 / 8.1?
Please make sure that you cannot deactivate the SmartScreen filter in Windows 11/10 in the control panel. Microsoft removed these features in Windows 11/10. However, you can turn off SmartScreen in Windows 8 and 8.1 using this method.
Step 1. Open the Control Panel and click on the “System and Security” option.
To access the Control Panel, press Windows logo + R Buttons simultaneously to call up the Run Dialog box. Enter run in the control panel Switchboard and hit Enter using the keyboard or click OK Button.
Step 2. In the “System and Security” window that opens, click the “Action Center” option.
Step 3. From the left side panel in the Action center In the window, click the “Change Windows SmartScreen Settings” link.
Step 4. You will now see the Windows SmartScreen window. Here you can see three options: –
- Get administrator approval before running an unrecognized application from the Internet (recommended).
- Warn before running an unrecognized application, but do not require administrator approval.
- Do nothing (switch off Windows SmartScreen).
Select the third option that says “Do nothing (turn off Windows SmartScreen),” then click OK Button to disable SmartScreen.
