---
title: "Disable SmartScreen: EnableSmartScreen, EnabledV9 and what you give up"
description: "SmartScreen checks downloaded programs and websites against Microsoft's reputation service before they open. What it changes, when it hurts, and how to undo it."
url: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-smartscreen
author: Frost LIVE, Founder of Frozen Tweaks
published: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
category: "Security"
source: Frozen Tweaks (https://frozentweaks.com)
---

# Disable SmartScreen: EnableSmartScreen, EnabledV9 and what you give up

**Short answer:** SmartScreen checks downloaded programs and websites against Microsoft's reputation service before they open. This tweak turns the check off for apps and files in Windows and for Edge. In the registry it sets EnableSmartScreen to 0 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System, and 1 more value.

## In the app

- Switch: Disable SmartScreen (App/URL) (Security, Pro, Advanced)
- Undo: Partial. Switching it off turns SmartScreen back on through a policy, so Windows may show the setting as managed.
- Catalog row: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks#t-1051

## What it does

SmartScreen checks downloaded programs and websites against Microsoft's reputation service before they open. This tweak turns the check off for apps and files in Windows and for Edge.

In the app the switch is called "Disable SmartScreen (App/URL)", described there as: Disables SmartScreen checks to prevent launch-time stalls.

## When it helps

- Removing the short delay when an unknown program starts, and the 'Windows protected your PC' prompt.

## When it hurts

- You lose a real layer of protection against new malware and phishing pages. This is one of the checks that stops a fake installer.
- Switching the tweak off sets standard values, which may not be exactly what you had.

## What it writes

Read from the app's source. "Switching it off" is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values:

| Key | Value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System` | `EnableSmartScreen` | `0` | 1 |
| `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\PhishingFilter` | `EnabledV9` | `0` | 1 |

Source: Tweaks/smartscreenoff.hpp in the app's source, app 2.0.0, checked 2026-10-08.

## The same change by hand

Run in a Command Prompt opened as administrator. Make a restore point first.

```bat
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" /v "EnableSmartScreen" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\PhishingFilter" /v "EnabledV9" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
```

Put it back:

```bat
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" /v "EnableSmartScreen" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MicrosoftEdge\PhishingFilter" /v "EnabledV9" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
```

See what it is set to now:

```bat
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System" /v "EnableSmartScreen"
```

## How to undo it

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. It writes EnableSmartScreen back to 1, EnabledV9 back to 1. Switching it off turns SmartScreen back on through a policy, so Windows may show the setting as managed.

## Verdict

We do not recommend it for most people. The time saved is small and the protection lost is real.

## Questions

### What does the "Disable SmartScreen (App/URL)" tweak change in Windows?

In the registry it sets EnableSmartScreen to 0 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System, and 1 more value. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.

### What is the standard value of EnableSmartScreen?

Frozen Tweaks writes 1 when you switch the tweak off, which is the value it treats as the Windows standard. With the tweak on, EnableSmartScreen is 0.

### Is "Disable SmartScreen (App/URL)" safe to switch on?

We do not recommend it for most people. The time saved is small and the protection lost is real. The main cost: You lose a real layer of protection against new malware and phishing pages. This is one of the checks that stops a fake installer.

### How do I undo it?

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off turns SmartScreen back on through a policy, so Windows may show the setting as managed.

### Is "Disable SmartScreen (App/URL)" free in Frozen Tweaks?

It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

## Related guides

- [Is PC Optimization Software Safe? What to Check Before Installing](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/is-pc-optimization-software-safe)

## More tweak explainers

- [Remote Registry and Remote Assistance](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-remote-registry-and-remote-assistance)
- [Spectre and Meltdown mitigations](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-spectre-meltdown-mitigations)
- [Defender exclusions for games](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/defender-exclusions-for-games)

---
Written by Frost LIVE, founder of Frozen Tweaks. Canonical version: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-smartscreen