microsoft defender smartscreen prevented an unrecognised app from starting

While that is certainly sometimes desirable, especially if you suspect the software to be malicious in nature, it is problematic if you are sure that this is not the case this time. The OK button is highlighted in the window but ok simply stops the execution of the program.

Users need to interact with the prompt but the way the prompt is designed makes that difficult as it only displays 'ok' on the first screen that opens. The SmartScreen message that appears displays Windows protected your PC on the screen. The server responds with a rating for the application that either triggers Windows SmartScreen if there is no rating or if the rating is low, or itÂ lets you continue with the program installation or opening of the site if the application or site is considered safe. SmartScreen collects information about the program, including the program's file name, hash code and digital signature if available, and submits the information to a Microsoft server on the Internet ().

It is a security software that intervenes if a site or application has been identified as malicious but also when Microsoft does not know anything about a particular program you try to run.

Microsoft defender smartscreen prevented an unrecognised app from starting