How do I "mark" a file as safe against Windows Defender and/or Smart Screen?

Question

I have an .ahk script that I wrote myself that was quarantined on a separate work station. I wasn't prompted (that I myself saw), and only realized it occured when I saw an error message on startup (AHK attempted to load the script but it wasn't there). AFAIK, SmartScreen invokes a dialogue window when it prevents a file from opening, so I'm inclined to believe Defender was the culprit. However, in either case, how can I "mark" or otherwise indicate to the system that a particular file is safe? Or rather, regardless of whether it is safe or not, it is not to be disposed or otherwise hindered/tampered/intercepted/etc.?

Answer 1

If you suspect Windows Defender, you could store the AHK script in a folder and then Add an exclusion to Windows Security for this folder (or for this file alone) :

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings, and then under Exclusions, select Add or remove exclusions.

Select Add an exclusion, and then select from files, folders, file types, or process. A folder exclusion will apply to all subfolders within the folder as well.