Windows Smartscreen helps check for websites and apps which are harmful to the system. It notifies the user and thereafter the user could decide whether to proceed with the website/app or not. However, users report that they are getting the Windows SmartScreen error while trying to open Microsoft’s own verified applications. If you are facing the error with your windows 10 PC, then try the methods given in the article.
Windows Smartscreen can’t be reached
Causes
The causes for the issue are as follows:
1] Issues with the Windows account
2] SmartScreen is disabled from Windows Defender Security Center itself
3] Incorrect proxy settings
Try the following steps to resolve the issue:
Solution 1] Check that SmartScreen should be enabled
Before moving to any other cause behind the issue, we need to make sure that SmartScreen is enabled.
1] Search Windows security in taskbar search box and click on it
2] Click on App & Browser Control
3] Click on Reputation based protection settings
4] Turn On Smartscreen for Microsoft Store apps
5] Also, Turn on Check apps and files option
Solution 2] Disable proxy server
Proxy settings could cause the error being discussed here, thus we could disable the proxy server.
1] Press Win + R to open the Run window and copy-paste the following command:
Ms-settings:network-proxy
2] Press Enter to open the Proxy options window.
3] Under Automatic proxy setup, turn the switch ON for Automatically detect settings.
4] Under Manual proxy setup, turn the switch OFF for Use a proxy server.
5] Restart the system and check if the issue has resolved.
Solution 4] Create a new user account
If the issue is with the account being used to log in to the system, try creating a new account and check if it helps.
1] Click on the Start button and then the gear-like symbol to open Windows Settings.
2] Go to Accounts >> Family & other people.
3] Select Add someone else to this PC.
4] Follow the steps to create a new account and restart the system.
5] Log in to the system with the new account.