“Windows protected your PC”

Question

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.

I often get the message above for executables downloaded from the internet.

• After I click »Run anyway« where exactly is this saved so I am not asked again?
• What is the reason that some unsigned apps cause this prompt and others don't?
• Does Windows know which files were downloaded form the internet and how to programmatically access or modify this meta data? It never asked me this for executables I compiled form source.

Answer 1

It flags it due to an unknown publisher, not because it is malicious.

If you trust it then run anyway.

You can download it to a folder then scan it, see if it flags at as malicious.