Ask HN: How to you go past Windows Defender SmartScreen?

3 points

8 years ago

We are about to distribute a Windows client from our web site, for potential users to test our upcoming solution. The code signed application still triggers Windows Smart Defender into displaying a scary warning.

I am trying to find a way to get rid of this. I have been trying to solve this problem for a couple of weeks. I can't believe we are the first one to face that.

Details:

  * app is built (using Unity) as a standard Windows exe.
  * it's a demo so publishing to the store might not be suitable.
  * we have deployed apps on the Windows Store before but I am not sure how that can help our reputation
  * more details: I posted on Unity forums as well:
   https://forum.unity.com/threads/taming-windows-smart-defender-for-standard-windows-standalone-apps.510568/

Here are the ideas I am looking at right now:

  * Getting it to work as is
    * Windows Logo submission after passing the WACK / Windows 10 test. Can it?
    * special trick / help by MS?
    * getting all my friends to install it in hope that it helps
    * asking help around?
  * convert app to Windows 10
    * use a wrapper
    * make a unity UWP version
  * Abandon Windows, make a WebGL version
  * Ignore it, and see how it goes...

Any tip?