STIGQter STIGQter: STIG Summary: Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 8 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

The Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Explorer must be enabled.

DISA Rule

SV-253395r958478_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-253395

Group Title

SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049

Rule Version

WN11-CC-000210

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> "Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen" to "Enabled" with "Warn and prevent bypass" selected.

Windows 11 includes duplicate policies for this setting. It can also be configured under Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Defender SmartScreen >> Explorer.

Check Contents

This is applicable to unclassified systems, for other systems this is NA.

If the following registry values do not exist or are not configured as specified, this is a finding:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\

Value Name: EnableSmartScreen

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000001 (1)

And

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\

Value Name: ShellSmartScreenLevel

Value Type: REG_SZ
Value: Block

Vulnerability Number

V-253395

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WN11-CC-000210

Severity Override Guidance

This is applicable to unclassified systems, for other systems this is NA.

If the following registry values do not exist or are not configured as specified, this is a finding:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\

Value Name: EnableSmartScreen

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000001 (1)

And

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\

Value Name: ShellSmartScreenLevel

Value Type: REG_SZ
Value: Block

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5471