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Windows SmartScreen is Blocking Every Download

Anonymous
2022-01-14T17:45:04+00:00

My Windows 10 Pro SmartScreen setting is blocking every single download. Even downloads from Microsoft.com and it does not give me any option to “Download Anyway” as all the advice sites are saying. How do I fix this and still have security? I should not have to turn it off every time or why bother having it as a setting. Please Help. Thank You.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-01-17T03:34:08+00:00

    Hi ，HandymanGirl

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    Normally SmartScreen doesn't prevent Microsoft.com from downloading anything, I think it's a error report.

    1. Have you downloaded other third-party antivirus or protection software?

    If there is, it is recommended to disable and uninstall.

    1. Also, if you are downloading on Edge, try changing the download location and see if it is still blocked.
    2. Open Edge's settings, select Downloads, and change the location. There are "Check Apps and Files", "SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge", and "SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps". They are all warnings by default. We changed them to off.
    3. If you are concerned about security issues after shutdown, you can restart the computer and then change it to a warning. Try the download again and see if the error still blocks.

    Open the start menu and select "Settings". In the pop-up Windows settings interface, we select "Update and Security".

    Select Windows Security, and then select Open Windows Defender Security Center. In the pop-up Windows Defender settings interface, we select "App and Browser Control".

    1. Reset Windows Defender

    SmartScreen is a feature of phishing sites and malware sites reported under Windows Defender. If there are errors reported, it is recommended to reset Windows Defender.

    Open Start, Settings, Apps, find Windows Security Center, double-click to select Advanced Options, Reset.

    1. If it still doesn't work, it is recommended to overwrite the system to fix this error:

    This operation preserves your files and software, just for system repair :

    （1）Please enter the following link

    Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

    Select "Download Tool Now"

    （2）After the download is complete, run this tool, choose to create media for another computer, and then choose the ISO file as the next step to save as to the path you can find and wait for the installation.

    （3）After the download is complete, you need to find the downloaded ISO file and right-click to open the file explorer. After opening, you will see several folders. The setup program runs to start the installation program.

    （4）Change the Windows installer - not now, next step, next step, will do a system replacement repair after prompting to keep your files and software. 

    I hope this reply could address your question, or if you will have any  question on it, please feel free to let me know.

    Best Regards,

    Hinata

    Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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