SmartScreen Filter: FAQ

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What is SmartScreen Filter and how can it help protect me?

SmartScreen Filter helps you identify reported phishing and malware websites and also helps you make informed decisions about downloads. SmartScreen helps protect you in three ways:

  • As you browse the web, it analyzes pages and determines if they have any characteristics that might be suspicious. If it finds suspicious pages, SmartScreen will display a warning page, giving you an opportunity to provide feedback and advising you to continue with caution.

  • SmartScreen checks the sites you visit against a dynamic list of reported phishing sites and malicious software sites. If it finds a match, SmartScreen will show you a warning letting you know that the site has been blocked for your safety.

  • SmartScreen checks files that you download from the web against a list of reported malicious software sites and programs known to be unsafe. If it finds a match, SmartScreen will warn you that the download has been blocked for your safety. SmartScreen also checks the files that you download against a list of files that are well known and downloaded by many people who use Internet Explorer. If the file that you're downloading isn't on that list, SmartScreen will warn you. Learn more about downloading files.

For more info about SmartScreen, read the Internet Explorer privacy statement.

What can I do if SmartScreen warns me about a site I visit, but it's not unsafe?

From the warning page, you can choose to report this site as a safe site. Tap or click More information, and then tap or click the Report that this site does not contain threats link to go to the Microsoft feedback site, and follow the instructions.

If you visit a site that you think SmartScreen should warn you about in the future, you can report it to Microsoft by tapping or clicking the Tools Tools button, pointing to Safety, and then choosing Report unsafe website.

Can I turn SmartScreen on or off?

Yes. Here's how:

  1. Open Internet Explorer for the desktop.

  2. Tap or click the Tools Tools button, then tap or click Safety.

  3. Tap or click Turn off SmartScreen Filter, and then choose either Turn off SmartScreen Filter or Turn on SmartScreen Filter.

  4. In the Microsoft SmartScreen Filter dialog box, tap or click OK.

Is SmartScreen different than Pop-up Blocker?

Yes. SmartScreen checks sites you visit and files you download for threats to your security. Pop-up Blocker limits most pop-ups on sites, which are usually advertisements and aren't necessarily malicious. Learn more about Pop-up Blocker by reading about security and privacy settings.

What is SmartScreen Filter and how can it help protect me?

SmartScreen Filter helps you identify reported phishing and malware websites and also helps you make informed decisions about downloads. SmartScreen helps protect you in three ways:

  • As you browse the web, it analyzes pages and determines if they have any characteristics that might be suspicious. If it finds suspicious pages, SmartScreen will display a warning page, giving you an opportunity to provide feedback and advising you to continue with caution.

  • SmartScreen checks the sites you visit against a dynamic list of reported phishing sites and malicious software sites. If it finds a match, SmartScreen will show you a warning letting you know that the site has been blocked for your safety.

  • SmartScreen checks files that you download from the web against a list of reported malicious software sites and programs known to be unsafe. If it finds a match, SmartScreen will warn you that the download has been blocked for your safety. SmartScreen also checks the files that you download against a list of files that are well known and downloaded by many people who use Internet Explorer. If the file that you're downloading isn't on that list, SmartScreen will warn you. Learn more about downloading files.

For more info about SmartScreen, read the Internet Explorer privacy statement.

What can I do if SmartScreen warns me about a site I visit, but it's not unsafe?

From the warning page, you can choose to report this site as a safe site. Click More information, and then click the Report that this site does not contain threats link to go to the Microsoft feedback site, and follow the instructions.

If you visit a site that you think SmartScreen should warn you about in the future, you can report it to Microsoft by clicking the Tools Tools button, pointing to Safety, and then choosing Report unsafe website.

Can I turn SmartScreen on or off?

Yes. Here's how:

  1. Open Internet Explorer.

  2. Click the Tools Tools button, then click Safety.

  3. Click Turn off SmartScreen Filter, and then choose either Turn off SmartScreen Filter or Turn on SmartScreen Filter.

  4. In the Microsoft SmartScreen Filter dialog box, click OK.

Is SmartScreen different than Pop-up Blocker?

Yes. SmartScreen checks sites you visit and files you download for threats to your security. Pop-up Blocker limits most pop-ups on sites, which are usually advertisements and aren't necessarily malicious. Learn more about Pop-up Blocker by reading about security and privacy settings.

What is SmartScreen Filter and how can it help protect me?

SmartScreen Filter helps you identify reported phishing and malware sites and also helps you make informed decisions about downloads. SmartScreen helps protect you in three ways:

  • As you browse the web, it analyzes pages and determines if they have any characteristics that might be suspicious. If it finds suspicious pages, SmartScreen will display a warning page, giving you an opportunity to provide feedback and advising you to continue with caution.

  • SmartScreen checks the sites you visit against a dynamic list of reported phishing sites and malicious software sites. If it finds a match, SmartScreen will show you a warning letting you know that the site has been blocked for your safety.

  • SmartScreen checks files that you download from the web against a list of reported malicious software sites and programs known to be unsafe. If it finds a match, SmartScreen will warn you that the download has been blocked for your safety. SmartScreen also checks the files that you download against a list of files that are well known and downloaded by many people who use Internet Explorer. If the file that you're downloading isn't on that list, SmartScreen will warn you. Learn more about downloading files.

For more info about SmartScreen, read the Internet Explorer privacy statement.

What can I do if SmartScreen warns me about a site I visit, but it's not unsafe?

From the warning page, you can choose to report this site as a safe site. Click More information, and then click the Report that this site does not contain threats link to go to the Microsoft feedback site, and then follow the instructions.

If you visit a site that you think SmartScreen should warn you about in the future, you can report it to Microsoft by clicking the Tools Tools button, pointing to Safety, and then choosing Report unsafe website.

Can I turn SmartScreen on or off?

Yes. Here's how:

  1. Open Internet Explorer.

  2. Click the Tools Toolsbutton, then click Safety.

  3. Click Turn off SmartScreen Filter, and then choose either Turn off SmartScreen Filter or Turn on SmartScreen Filter.

  4. In the Microsoft SmartScreen Filter dialog box, click OK.

Is SmartScreen different than Pop-up Blocker?

Yes. SmartScreen checks sites you visit and files you download for threats to your security. Pop-up Blocker limits most pop-ups on sites, which are usually advertisements and aren't necessarily malicious. Learn more about Pop-up Blocker by reading about security and privacy settings.

What is SmartScreen Filter and how can it help protect me?

SmartScreen Filter helps you identify reported phishing and malware sites and also helps you make informed decisions about downloads. SmartScreen helps protect you in three ways:

  • As you browse the web, it analyzes pages and determines if they have any characteristics that might be suspicious. If it finds suspicious pages, SmartScreen will display a warning page, giving you an opportunity to provide feedback and advising you to continue with caution.

  • SmartScreen checks the sites you visit against a dynamic list of reported phishing sites and malicious software sites. If it finds a match, SmartScreen will show you a warning letting you know that the site has been blocked for your safety.

  • SmartScreen checks files that you download from the web against a list of reported malicious software sites and programs known to be unsafe. If it finds a match, SmartScreen will warn you that the download has been blocked for your safety. SmartScreen also checks the files that you download against a list of files that are well known and downloaded by many people who use Internet Explorer. If the file that you're downloading isn't on that list, SmartScreen will warn you. Learn more about downloading files.

For more info about SmartScreen, read the Internet Explorer privacy statement.

What can I do if SmartScreen warns me about a site I visit, but it's not unsafe?

From the warning page, you can choose to report this site as a safe site. Click More information, and then click the Report that this site does not contain threats link to go to the Microsoft feedback site, and then follow the instructions.

If you visit a site that you think SmartScreen should warn you about in the future, you can report it to Microsoft by clicking the Tools Tools button, pointing to Safety, and then selecting Report unsafe website.

Can I turn SmartScreen on or off?

Yes. Here's how:

  1. Open Internet Explorer.

  2. Click the Safety button, point to SmartScreen Filter, and then click either Turn off SmartScreen Filter or Turn on SmartScreen Filter.

  3. In the Microsoft SmartScreen Filter dialog box, click OK.

Is SmartScreen different than Pop-up Blocker?

Yes. SmartScreen checks sites you visit and files you download for threats to your security. Pop-up Blocker limits most pop-ups on sites, which are usually advertisements and aren't necessarily malicious. Learn more about Pop-up Blocker by reading about security and privacy settings.