Windows Server 2019 Windows Defender SmartScreen must be enabled.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-205692SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049WN19-CC-000300SV-205692r958478_rule2025-02-253
Description
Windows Defender SmartScreen helps protect systems from programs downloaded from the internet that may be malicious. Enabling SmartScreen can block potentially malicious programs or warn users.
ℹ️ Check
This is applicable to unclassified systems; for other systems, this is NA. If the following registry value does not exist or is 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)
✔️ Fix
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> "Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen" to "Enabled" with either option "Warn" or "Warn and prevent bypass" selected. Windows 2019 includes duplicate policies for this setting. It can also be configured under Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Defender SmartScreen >> Explorer.