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Enable Disable Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11

Enable Disable Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11

Written By Krishna R
Last Updated July 17, 2026
Posted In Windows 11
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Let’s learn to Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11. Microsoft Defender Smart screen is the best tool for cybersecurity; we live in a digital world where many cyber-attacks are to be done. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is the best option to prevent this in those cases.

If you are wondering why we must enable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, its security level is very high. It mainly concentrates on users’ safety from many types of malware on the Internet. It is an integrated part of Windows 11 and acts as a warning system for the device.

Apps are very secure with the help of Microsoft Defender. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is essential for apps from the Microsoft Store in Windows 11 as it offers multiple levels of security. SmartScreen offers immersive security to keep users safe when installing apps.

This blog post will explain disabling and enabling Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11. It is necessary to learn about your app’s security. Defender SmartScreen detects and blocks malware websites and applications for your protection.

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Is it necessary to Enable and Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11?

Yes, of course, it’s necessary; it is day-to-day. In life, we use our devices for many work-related things. So, it’s essential for the safety of our devices and apps. The following list will show why it’s necessary for us to

1. Defender SmartScreen is like a safeguard for the Microsoft Store.
2. It ensures that the apps users download are safe, thus protecting the integrity of their devices and personal data.
3. It detects and blocks malware activity in websites and applications
4. It allows you an early warning when any attacks on your application

Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11

Turning on or off Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 is easy. Smarscreens, present in old Windows versions, are a tool to help make web browsing safer. To Enable and disable Defender SmartScreen, you first have to open Windows Security.

  • Search for Windows security in the Search bar
  • Click on the Open
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 - Fig.1
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 – Fig.1

After clicking on open, you will see Windows security. There are many sections for Windows security. You have to concentrate on App and browser control. Click on App and Browser control. Many security options are available in that option.

App Protection and Online Security FeaturesInfo
Smart App ControlEnhancing protection from untrusted apps
Reputation- based protectionThese settings protect from malicious or potentially unwanted apps, files and websites.
Exploit protectionIt is built in Windows to help protect your device against attacks.
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 -Table.1
  • Click on the Reputation-based protection settings
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 -Fig.2
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 -Fig.2

The Reputation-based protection settings protect your device from malware or potentially unwanted apps, files, and websites. Scroll down the screen until you get the option called SmartScreen for Microsoft apps.

  • The SmartScreen for Microsoft apps option is enabled by default
  • If you want to Disable them, you have to toggle the pane from the Right to the Left
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 - Fig.3
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 – Fig.3

Enable and Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps using Registry

Registry options are crucial to our device. A REG file is a text file in Windows that contains instructions for the Windows registry and a database that stores settings for our device. Using the REG file to enable and disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps is very easy.

  • First, you have to Open the Registry by clicking Win+R.
  • This will open the Run dialog box
  • Type regedit into the Open field of the Run dialog box
  • Click OK
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 -Fig.4
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 -Fig.4

After opening the registry, you must give the appropriate path for enabling Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps. You can use the following path for navigation for Enabling Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps using REG Navigation path
For Enabling/ Disabling[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 – Table.2

Note: Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps are Enabled by Default

Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 - Fig.5
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 – Fig.5

If you want to disable this option in registry, you have to enter the above path. After entering the path, In the left sidebar, right-click and select New > Key.

  • Name the key as AppHost
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 - Fig.6
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 – Fig.6

With the AppHost key selected in the left sidebar, right-click in the main pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and Name this new DWORD value “EnableWebContentEvaluation.”

Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 - Fig.7
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 – Fig.7

After rename as the “EnableWebContentEvaluation” double click on that, now EnableWebContentEvaluation dialog box is now opened. You can modify the value data as 0 for Disable the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps.

  • The 0 value for Disabling
  • the 1 value is for Enabling
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 - Fig.8
Enable Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps in Windows 11 – Fig.8

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Author

Krishna. R is a computer enthusiast. She loves writing about Windows 11 and Intune-related technologies and sharing her knowledge, quick tips, and tricks about Windows 11 or 10 with the community.

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