How to Unblock a File Blocked by Windows Defender SmartScreen in Windows 10

[The AchieVer]

How to Unblock a File Blocked by Windows Defender SmartScreen in Windows 10 

 

Windows 10 comes with an impressive security feature arsenal, and most of it is grouped under a central hub now called Windows Security.

 

Also home of the Windows DefenderAntivirus, Windows Security includes tools which can block malware before it reaches your data, and this is part of a more aggressive approach that makes prevention a priority on every Windows 10 device.

SmartScreen, for example, is part of this stage, and it warns you whenever files that you want to launch could pose a threat to your device.

Basically, SmartScreen was originally implemented in Microsoft’s browsers to alert whenever users tried to load potentially dangerous websites. In Windows 10, Windows Defender SmartScreen can also let you know when the files that you try to launch could harm the computer.

The warning that Windows Defender SmartScreen displays when potentially dangerous applications are detected is the following:

“Windows protected your PC. Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.”

 

 

 

Microsoft says it analyzes a bunch of data before deciding whether SmartScreen should block the launch of an application or not:

“Windows Defender SmartScreen uses information from Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Windows users around the world as well as anti-virus results, download volumes, download history, URL reputation, and many other criteria to determine the likely risk of downloaded programs.

For example, programs that are downloaded by many users over a long period of time without a history of malware are not likely to be malicious. This warning indicates that caution should be taken before running the downloaded program, especially if the download is not digitally signed.”

Unblocking a file that was previously blocked by Windows Defender SmartScreen and preventing the warning from showing up once again is easier than you think, albeit it’s definitely not the most straightforward.

First and foremost, you must find the location of the executable file on your PC. If you attempt to launch it from a shortcut, just right-click the file > Open file location.

Once you locate it, right-click the file > Properties > General. In the lower part of the screen, there should be a message reading:

This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer.

Simply check the box next to this option that reads Unblock and then hit Apply in the same window. At this point, SmartScreen should be disabled for the selected app and the warning should no longer show up on launch.
 

 

 

What’s very important to know is that despite Windows Defender becoming a more powerful security product, it can very well send false positives too. So not all files marked as dangerous can harm your device.

Microsoft recommends users to first check if the file is digitally signed by a software publisher. To do this, right-click the file > Properties > Digital Signatures.

Then, you need to check the download source. “How were you directed to this download? Was the download link unsolicited, such as from an email, instant message, or social networking post? If the download link was unsolicited - even if it looks like it’s from someone you trust - it is more likely to be malicious,” the software giant says.

And last but not least, if you download a game that’s supposed to be popular, but SmartScreen issues a warning that only shows up for unknown files, this should sound like a huge warning.

Eventually, if you’re not sure if a downloaded file is dangerous or not, it’s better not to run it, or at least, to launch the process in a secure environment like Windows Sandbox.

 

 

 

Source

[capt_blake]

surely, the system's behavior in that regard could also be changed via Group Policy:
Disable downloaded files from being blocked in Windows 10

and for an explanation of what this block/unblock functionality is based on: - we need to recall Alternate NTFS Streams:
Alternative NTFS Streams in Windows 10

so to reach to the point (-Stream Zone.Identifier):
Beware: Chromium-based Browsers Save Download Origin URL for Files

it's useful fun.
greetz.