[Solved] Can’t Change SmartScreen Filter Settings in Windows 8 and Later

"SmartScreen" filter is an advance feature provided by Microsoft in Windows 10 and Windows 8 operating systems. This option allows the user to provide improved security to Windows users.

 You may also like: How to Fix MEMORY_MANAGEMENT Blue Screen Error

Essentially this security feature was set up in Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) web browser, this feature automatically verifies files for malicious content and warns users if any suspicious content is found by this feature.

Users can also customize the SmartScreen filter settings with the help of Action Center. So user can easily turn SmartScreen filter on or off according to their requirements.

But the main problem occurs when users gets unable to change SmartScreen filter settings in Windows. Sometime due to any unknown issue all the available options turns to grayed out i.e. cannot be changed as shown in the below given screenshot. So user gets unable to modify SmartScreen filter settings because all the options in SmartScreen filter settings window are inactive.

If you are suffering from the above discussed situation then don’t worry as you can easily deal with SmartScreen filter settings not working situation. Below two methods are given below, apply them carefully in order to fix SmartScreen issue.

Trick 1: Via Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

Step 1: Open run dialogue box (press Win+R) and type gpedit.msc in RUN and press enter key. You can also type gpedit.msc in the start search box and hit Enter key. A Group Policy Editor will open up.

Step 2: Now navigate to:

Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> File Explorer

Step 3: In the right-side pane, look for "Configure Windows SmartScreen" option.

Step 4: The option would be set to Enabled or Not Configured. To do this double-click on it and set it to Disabled.

If you apply the above given steps carefully and without any error then it will instantly enable customization of SmartScreen filter settings in Windows. If you are still unable to deal with the SmartScreen issue after applying trick 1 then go to the trick 2:

For Complete Tips and Tricks about SmartFilter you can also visit: Fixes for SmartScreen Filters Errors in Windows 10 and 8.1 

Trick 2: From Registry Editor (regedit)

So, you applied the trick 1 but unable to fix the SmartScreen error. Don’t worry as this Registry Editor trick will allow you to fix this issue. Simply follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open run dialogue box (press Win+R) and type gpedit.msc in RUN and press enter key. It will open the Registry Editor window.

Step 2: Now navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

Step 3: In the right-side pane, you'll find a DWORD EnableSmartScreen. Remove this DWORD and close the Registry Editor.

Step 4: After applying all the above steps, now restart your system or reboot Explorer. After rebooting, you'll be able to alter SmartScreen filter settings.