3.1. Reputation-based protection settings

3.1.1. Check apps and files

Disable Check apps and files

GPO

Policy must be enabled and set to disable to apply.

Computer Configuration › Administrative Templates › Windows Components › File Explorer › Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen

☑

DISABLED

Updated: 2021-02-19 Reference

Registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

SmartScreenEnabled

SZ

Off

Updated: 2021-02-19 Reference

Registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

EnableSmartScreen

DWORD

0

Updated: 2021-02-19 Reference

3.1.2. SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge

Edge will eventually be removed; until then, leave enabled for Edge browser.

Reference

3.1.3. Potentially unwanted app blocking

Disable Potentially unwanted app blocking

Blocking downloads cannot be managed. Leave download blocking enabled.

GPO

Policy must be enabled and set to disable to apply.

Computer Configuration › Administrative Templates › Windows Components › Microsoft Defender Antivirus › Configure detection for potentially unwanted applications

☑

ENABLED

Options

Disabled (Default)

Updated: 2021-02-19 Reference Reference Reference Reference Reference

Registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender

PUAProtection

DWORD

0

Updated: 2021-02-19 Reference Reference Reference Reference Reference

3.1.4. SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps

Disable SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps

Warnings will occur if notifications are enabled.

Registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost

EnableWebContentEvaluation

DWORD

0

PreventOverride

DWORD

0

Updated: 2021-02-19 Reference

Registry

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost

EnableWebContentEvaluation

DWORD

0

PreventOverride

DWORD

0

Updated: 2021-02-19 Reference