Unfortunately, users reported the This unsafe download was blocked by SmartScreen message while downloading certain files, and today we’re going to show you how to fix it on Windows 10. How do I bypass the Microsoft SmartScreen filter on Windows 10? The simplest way is the ‘Download unsafe file’ option. This only applies if you’re absolutely certain that the file is safe and the message is the result of an error. A more complicated solution that will surely work is to disable the SmartScreen. If you want to know how to do that, keep on reading. Quick Tip: If you need a browser that will keep you safe from pretty much anything, then look no further than Opera. This Chromium-based Internet browser is fast and efficient, and it comes with a plethora of free security tools that no other web browser has. For example, you get a free VPN that has no traffic quota, an ad-blocker that will prevent any ad-ware from spamming you, and a tracker-blocker so anything you do while using Opera remains unrecorded. With so many layers of protection, having to deal with unsafe downloads will be a thing of the past as soon as possible.

What do I do when SmartScreen blocks unsafe downloads?

1. Click the Download unsafe file option

Sometimes, the This unsafe download was blocked by SmartScreen message that can appear while downloading certain files. If you’re certain that your file isn’t malicious and that it comes from a safe source, you can easily fix the problem by locating the file in the download list, right-clicking it, and choosing Download unsafe file. If you’re using Internet Explorer, you can download unsafe files by following similar steps:

2. Disable SmartScreen

You can also turn off SmartScreen Filter right from Internet Explorer. To do that, follow these steps: If you’re frequently getting the This unsafe download was blocked by SmartScreen message, you might want to consider disabling SmartScreen entirely. If you’re using Microsoft Edge, you can disable SmartScreen by following these steps: You can also disable SmartScreen by using the Windows Defender Security Center. Keep in mind this method might not work on your PC if you have Windows Defender disabled or if you’re using a third-party antivirus. SPONSORED To disable SmartScreen using this method, do the following: If you’re an advanced user, you can disable SmartScreen for Edge by modifying your registry. Remember, modifying the registry can lead to certain issues if you’re not careful and therefore it’s highly recommended you create a registry backup just in case. To disable SmartScreen using the Registry Editor, follow these steps: After disabling SmartScreen for Internet Explorer or Edge you should be able to download your files without any issues. Keep in mind that these methods will completely disable SmartScreen protection, meaning that it won’t scan downloaded files or websites you visit. While this can be a security concern for some users, with third-party antivirus software installed, you should have no issues. If you want, you can also disable SmartScreen system-wide. To do that, follow these steps: You can also disable SmartScreen system-wide by using Registry Editor. To do that, follow these steps: If you don’t want to modify your registry, you can also disable SmartScreen by changing your Group Policy. To do that, follow these steps: By using one of these methods, you’ll completely disable SmartScreen on your Windows 10 PC, which will allow you to download and run any file you want. Disclaimer: Some settings, file paths, or options can differ depending on your Windows 10 version and patch. Be sure to check similar named features/options. If you’re aware of another way to solve the problem, please share it in the comments section below. If you have any other questions, post them there, as well. When you visit a website, SmartScreen compared the code on the respective page with its database to detect threats. If there is any string of code matching its threat database, the tool blocks your access to the respective website.

Should I disable Windows SmartScreen?

SmartScreen is a very useful security feature that protects your computer against malware and phishing attacks and it is not recommended to disable it. The security risks you run by turning SmartScreen off are far greater than the benefits.

How do I disable SmartScreen?

Here are the steps to follow to disable SmartScreen:

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