Microsoft has introduced a system for verifying the authenticity of desktop applications called SmartScreen that can sometimes trigger warnings when you download and install Family Historian, especially if it is a brand new release. It may report messages such as “This program is not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer.” or “Windows protected your PC. Windows SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.”
While this new system does ensure that you are unlikely to download something you shouldn’t, it also introduces errant warnings, especially with newly released software applications and updates, such as Family Historian version releases.
Calico Pie, the publisher of Family Historian, follows industry best practices in ensuring the security of its software. However, warnings are nevertheless still possible. If they do occur, this should only happen for a while. They should eventually go away as more people download and install the software.
If you do get warnings, you can still go ahead and install the software. Here are some examples of how to do that…
This example shows the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen message. If you click on the “More Info” link another button appears -see next.
This is the same SmartScreen message after clicking on “More Info”. Note that it confirms the download file and that the company name is Calico Pie Limited. You can now click on “Run Anyway”.
Another example of a Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Message. Click “Show more” to see more information…
Now there is an option to “Keep anyway” which you can click on.
This is an example of a message sometimes put out by Microsoft Edge . By clicking on the little button with 3 dots you can see a menu option “Keep”, which you can click on to continue with the download.
If you have any problems or questions relating to installation, please contact support at support@family-historian.co.uk.