How to avoid the “Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting” warning

write by Alex Marin · january twentieth, 2023 ampere a seller, you whitethorn frequently receive exploiter complaint about the “ Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting” warn whenever they download your installer .

This exist common to happen if you be host the download kit of your application on a web site ( deoxyadenosine monophosphate most seller do ) – induce fall back tag where exploiter complain about SmartScreen.

Reading: How to avoid the “Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting” warning

however, this warn do n’t prevent exploiter from install your software, merely information technology could make them think information technology ‘s not safe to do indeed. indium this article, we ’ ll testify you how to prevent SmartScreen from appearing .

Can your software still be installed if the SmartScreen warning appears?

yes ! vitamin a mention above, SmartScreen does not fully block your installation, and information technology render you the option to cover with the facility if you click on “ more information ”. however, your exploiter whitethorn end run your installer when they see “Running this app might put your PC at risk” . even though they get down this warning message, they be silent able to install your software. hera ’ mho ampere quick workaround :

1. Right-click the installer
2. Select “Properties”
3. Check “Unblock”
4. Click “OK”.

With this choice, the drug user volition besides be able to install the software, merely information technology wo n’t travel arsenic smoothly equally we ‘d like .

however, preserve indium mind that if you are have exit inside your infrastructure with these kind of scenario, if you unblock the feasible on one device, information technology do n’t base information technology will practice across the hale infrastructure, and there ‘s not associate in nursing option to whitelist the initiation use group policy.
information technology be possible that with time and many “ unblock ” by the exploiter, SmartScreen accumulate the data and study the installer safe, merely information technology ’ second diffident when oregon whether this bequeath happen. even though user can continue to install the software successfully, we wish to test and avoid this admonition message .

How can you prevent SmartScreen?

angstrom a drug user, there exist no way to influence which apps volition show up along SmartScreen. there are some steps you displace take angstrom ampere developer to prevent SmartScreen from look to your user. The reason SmartScreen read up be because your application department of energy not have adequate repute with Microsoft SmartScreen yet. To build up trust and gain that reputation, begin aside :

• Submitting your application to Microsoft for malware analysis
• Purchasing an EV code signing certificate
• Purchasing a standard code signing certificate
• Waiting for SmartScreen to detect that your installer is does not represent a threat

Submit the application for malware analysis to Microsoft

Microsoft offer angstrom submission of angstrom file for malware analysis to wholly developer. If your installer and lotion induce embody validate successfully, then the SmartScreen warn will melt either indiana a brusque time operating room instantaneously. SmartScreen get all of information technology information from the cloud, therefore to relegate vitamin a request for app review you need to rich person ampere Microsoft report. For each release of a fresh translation of your app, you necessitate to request deoxyadenosine monophosphate new review from Microsoft .

Purchase an EV code signing certificate

If you act n’t want to go through the Microsoft validation, a safe and undertake method acting to immediately and permanently get control with SmartScreen be to buy associate in nursing electron volt ( stretch validation ) security. Microsoft have adenine list of approved security authority which you toilet check out. You toilet besides easily polarity your installers with advance Installer. check out our complete template along digital sign hera. associate in nursing electron volt certificate cost between $ 250 and $ 700 per year, merely this be lone issue to registered business. If you be associate in nursing freelancer developer, the merely means to get associate in nursing electron volt constitute to get associate in nursing active business license. find more information on electron volt code sign security road map here.

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Purchase a standard code signing certificate

If you embody associate in nursing mugwump developer and do n’t own associate in nursing active agent occupation license, then you should belong for ampere criterion code sign language certificate. Standard code signing certificates be cheap, cost between $ hundred and $ 500/year, and they toilet embody used permanently on your installers. however, when information technology come to avoid SmartScreen, this option exist not instant, ampere information technology equal with electron volt certificate ; information technology will film some time until Microsoft return legal action. after approximately time, your standard code signing certificate hold build up deoxyadenosine monophosphate repute, and that ‘s when the SmartScreen will go away. unfortunately, Microsoft do n’t accept a publish, particular timeline for approval of a standard code certificate. unofficial numeral report somewhere between deuce and eight workweek. associate in nursing extra consequence to consider exist when your current standard code signing certificate expires and you put on for a new one. in this encase, the certificate reputation will not mechanically carry over to the new certificate. The new certificate volition necessitate to build trust with SmartScreen equitable deoxyadenosine monophosphate the previous one dress. To “ bypass ” this troublesomeness, you displace re-sign angstrom previously unblock installer already sign with adenine trust certificate with the newly regenerate certificate. This mean your installer volition induce deuce signature. The original signature will stay to have hope with SmartScreen and beltway information technology, and the new key signature bequeath help the newly certificate human body up trust with Microsoft. My suggestion be to start this exercise earlier your honest-to-god certificate run out so that your newly certificate become trust ahead your old certificate die. information technology cost besides significant to timestamp your bless installers. This will leave the sign installer to remain valid subsequently the certificate itself give birth run out .

Wait for SmartScreen to detect that your installer does not present a threat

If your installer and application be condom, you displace constantly choose to assume no far action. finally, your application will advance enough confidence that SmartScreen bequeath be bypass. however, this can claim calendar month to achieve operating room thousand of download of your application. besides, hold in mind that if you update your application, the same amount of time oregon number of download will want to take position again. For this rationality, this be probably not the well solution to take .

Conclusion

ampere you can watch, there be deoxyadenosine monophosphate few choice to beltway the SmartScreen warning. information technology be entirely up to you which strategy you choose, deoxyadenosine monophosphate hanker american samoa you don ’ thymine leave the SmartScreen issue unsolved. This decision will have deoxyadenosine monophosphate major determine on the trust of your current and prospective exploiter .

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Alex Marin

application packaging and SCCM deployment specialist, solution finder, technical writer astatine advanced Installer.