MewTools blocked by Windows? How to fix it

Windows warns about MewTools because it isn't a signed commercial installer. Windows can't check who made it, so it asks you first. Only download it from our GitHub link, and only run it on your second computer, never on your main PC.

"Windows protected your PC"

This is the blue SmartScreen box, and it's the one most people get.

After that, right-click MewTools and choose Run as administrator, or the driver buttons won't work.

"Smart App Control has blocked this app"

Smart App Control is a Windows 11 feature that only lets an app run if Microsoft already trusts it or it's signed. It has no Run anyway button. Microsoft says there's no way to allow just one app, so MewTools only opens with it off.

To check it, open Windows Security (press the Windows key and type it), go to App & browser control and open Smart App Control settings. It shows On, Evaluation or Off. Only On blocks apps.

You can turn it off on that same page, on your second computer only. Ask in your ticket before you do. Microsoft says recent Windows updates let you turn it back on later without reinstalling Windows. On older versions of Windows 11, once it was off it stayed off until Windows was reinstalled.

Don't turn off any security setting on your main PC. MewTools never runs there.

Your antivirus removed it

If MewTools.exe disappeared, or won't open and Windows Security showed a threat message, it was most likely quarantined. That means it was moved somewhere it can't run.

Microsoft says a restored file can be caught again. If MewTools disappears a second time, ask in your ticket. If the file is gone for good, download it again from the same GitHub link. If you use another antivirus, check its own quarantine or exceptions page instead.

Still blocked

Open a ticket in our Discord with a screenshot of the message and your Windows version (press the Windows key, type winver and press Enter). Once MewTools opens, go back to Flashing your firmware and carry on from where you stopped.