How to Enable the SmartScreen Filter in Windows 11 - Complete guide

Discover how to activate the SmartScreen Filter on Windows 11 and enhance your online security effortlessly.

How to Enable the SmartScreen Filter in Windows 11

The internet is an endless source of information and entertainment, but it's not always safe. Cybercriminals are always looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities in your system and steal your personal information. That's why it's important to take all the necessary measures to protect your computer from malware, phishing, and other cyber threats. One of the most effective ways to do so is by enabling the SmartScreen filter in Windows 11.

SmartScreen filter is a built-in security feature in Windows 11 that helps protect against phishing and malware attacks. It blocks access to malicious and phishing sites and warns you before downloading potentially harmful files. In this article, we'll show you how to enable the SmartScreen filter in Windows 11 using different methods.

Enabling SmartScreen using Windows Security settings

The easiest way to enable the SmartScreen filter in Windows 11 is through the Windows Security settings. Here's how you can do it:

1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security and then select Windows Security.

3. Select App & browser control from the menu on the left-hand side.

4. Under Check apps and files, select Warn or Block.

5. Under SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, select Warn or Block.

6. Under SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps, select Warn or Block.

That's it! Your SmartScreen filter is now enabled, and your computer is better protected against online threats.

Enabling SmartScreen using Microsoft Edge

If you're using Microsoft Edge as your browser, you can enable the SmartScreen filter directly from its settings. Here's how:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots in the top-right corner.

2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

3. Scroll down to the Privacy, search, and services section and click on Security.

4. Under the Windows Defender SmartScreen section, select Warn or Block.

That's it! Your SmartScreen filter is now enabled in Microsoft Edge, and you can browse the web with greater peace of mind.

Enabling/Disabling SmartScreen using Internet Properties

Another way to enable the SmartScreen filter is through the Internet Properties dialog box. Here's how:

1. Open the Control Panel and click on Network and Internet.

2. Click on Internet Options.

3. Click on the Security tab and select the Custom level button.

4. Scroll down to the section labeled Downloads and select Enable under the option labeled Do not save encrypted pages to disk.

5. Scroll down to the section labeled Miscellaneous and select Enable under the option labeled Turn on SmartScreen Filter.

6. Click OK to save your changes.

That's it! You've successfully enabled the SmartScreen filter using Internet Properties.

Enabling/Disabling SmartScreen Using the Registry Editor

If you're comfortable working with the Registry Editor, you can enable or disable the SmartScreen filter by changing a few values in the registry. Here's how:

1. Before making any changes, create a restore point to back up your registry in case anything goes wrong.

2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type regedit, and hit Enter.

3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

4. Right-click on the Explorer key, select New, and then click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

5. Name the new value SmartScreenEnabled and press Enter.

6. Double-click on the new value and change the value data to 1 to enable SmartScreen or 0 to disable it.

7. Click OK to save your changes.

That's it! You've successfully enabled or disabled the SmartScreen filter using the Registry Editor.

Enabling/Disabling SmartScreen Using Group Policy Editor

Finally, if you're using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can enable or disable the SmartScreen filter using the Group Policy Editor. Here's how:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Defender SmartScreen.

3. Double-click on the setting labeled Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen.

4. Select the option labeled Enabled.

5. Under Options, select Warn or Block.

6. Click OK to save your changes.

That's it! You've successfully enabled or disabled the SmartScreen filter using the Group Policy Editor.

Enabling the SmartScreen filter in Windows 11 is an essential step in protecting your computer from online threats. It's easy to enable using the Windows Security settings, Microsoft Edge, Internet Properties, Registry Editor, or Group Policy Editor. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can keep your computer safe from phishing and malware attacks and enjoy a more secure browsing experience. Don't forget to keep your antivirus software up to date and run regular scans to ensure your system is always protected. Stay safe, and happy browsing!