Why Does My Digitally Signed Win8 App Still Trigger Smart Screen Warnings?

Smart Screen Obstacle: Digital Signature Doesn't Always Guarantee Smooth Installations on Win8

Despite having a digitally signed application installer, developers may encounter the Windows Smart Screen prompting and warning users about potential risks. This occurs even though the application has a valid digital signature from a certified authority.

Microsoft's Additional Security Measures

Microsoft employs additional measures beyond digital signatures to verify the safety of applications. These measures aim to protect users from unknown and potentially malicious programs. Consequently, when an application with a new digital signature is installed, Smart Screen may raise a warning.

Solution: Reputation Transfer and Windows App Certification Kit

Microsoft has discontinued its reputation transfer service for switching from old to new certificates. As a result, developers must rely on building reputation for the new certificate.

The most effective method to resolve this issue is to run the Windows App Certification Kit (WACK) on your application. WACK tests andvalidates the application's adherence to security standards.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

1. Run WACK and follow its instructions.
2. Upon successful validation, upload the XML result to Microsoft's dedicated portal (https://sysdev.microsoft.com).
3. After a short period, Smart Screen will recognize the application's digital signature and remove the warning prompt.

Note: It is essential to conduct this process in a clean version of Windows 8.1, as WACK may not function properly in the latest updates.

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