Windows 10: Windows Defender SmartScreen managed by Administrator

Today morning, I started browsing through the Windows Security app.

I found that Check apps and files [App and Browser control > Reputation-based protection settings > Check apps and files] is grayed out and a message appears "This setting is managed by your administrator." But I am the only Administrator on my

laptop.






My Windows 10 version is 20H2.

Security and Intelligence is also updated.

So, I haven't checked SmartScreen Settings before. Is this the default state of this setting? Or not? If not, then how can I turn this on?

Everything else on Windows Security works fine, atleast till now.

:)

 

Microsoft Defender Smartscreen

Hi COLINGILBERT1,

Sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue. I'm an Independent Advisor and consumer of Microsoft products just like you. Let me help you with your concern.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen checks downloaded files against a list of reported malicious software sites and known unsafe programs and against list of files that are well known and downloaded by many Windows users. If the file you downloaded is on the malicious
list or is not commonly downloaded it will show a warning, advising caution. If you believe that the file is not malicious and you trust the source then you can ignore the warning by clicking "Run anyway".

Refer to the below link for the benefits of Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/securi...

 

Windows Defender SmartScreen won't let me download ANYTHING.

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Please provide some additional information, so that we can assist you better.

1. Which browser you are using to download the application?
   
2. What is the complete error message appears on your computer screen when you click on download?
   
   

We can try and perform few steps and see if it helps.

Step 1: You can refer the Microsoft article related

Windows Defender SmartScreen under the section
how can I download files reported as unsafe by Windows Defender SmartScreen in Internet Explorer 10 or Microsoft Edge.

Step 2: Try to disable SmartScreen.

1. Press Windows + S on your keyboard.
   
2. Click on Internet Options.
   
3. When the Internet Properties window opens, go to the
   Security tab and click Custom level.
   
4. Locate the Miscellaneous section. Now, locate Use
   SmartScreen Filter option and set it to disable. Click OK to save changes.
   
5. You can disable SmartScreen by going to the
   advanced tab and unchecking the Enable SmartScreen Filter option. After doing that, click
   Apply and OK to save changes.
   
6. Restart your computer to effect the settings.
   

Hope it helps.

Let us know if you got the help you needed by clicking ‘Yes or No’.

Harish

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

mmc.exe blocks device manager (can't deactivate SmartScreen)

Dear Community,

I want to install my new SSD onto my computer. To do so, I need to open the device manager. When I try to open it up,
mmc.exe blocks it.

I came across several solutions such as this particular one;

• Disable SmartScreen by Windows Defender and try to reopen the device manager.
  • Uninstall all anti-virus software in order to interact with the windows defender again.
  • Re-activate Windows Defender.
  • Disable SmartScreen

Unfortunately, after uninstalling Kaspersky I could still not run the windows defender. I then tried to "fix" my computer with Restoro's Repair Tool, which did not help either.

At this point, I find myself without any anti-virus programm and several dollars spent on Restoro - and, the problem still not solved.

Can somebody help me to activate my windows defender again / stop mmc.exe from blocking my device manager?

Regards