XARION / WINDOWS INSTALLATION
Installing Xarion when Windows blocks unsigned apps
Early-access Xarion releases do not yet have a paid Windows code-signing certificate. Windows may therefore report an unknown publisher even when the installer came from the official release page.
Security checkpoint
Do not change a Windows security setting until the download source and the complete SHA-256 checksum have both been verified.
01 / Source
Download only from Xeralis or the official repository
Do not install Xarion from an email attachment, chat upload, advertisement, unrelated mirror, or third-party download site.
02 / Integrity
Verify the installer checksum
Open PowerShell and calculate the SHA-256 hash. Replace the example filename with the installer you downloaded.
Get-FileHash "$HOME\Downloads\Xarion-Setup-1.0.3.exe" -Algorithm SHA256- Match: the file is byte-for-byte identical to the published installer.
- Mismatch: delete it and download it again from the official release page.
- Missing checksum: stop and wait for a published checksum before continuing.
03 / Identify
SmartScreen and Smart App Control are different
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
Usually displays “Windows protected your PC.” When available, More info may reveal a per-app Run anyway action.
Smart App Control
Can block an unsigned application without a per-app exception. Turning it off changes protection for the entire device, not only Xarion.
04 / Decision
Choose the least disruptive path
Keep Smart App Control enabled
Wait for a signed Xarion release. This preserves the strongest Windows default and requires no system-wide security change.
Use SmartScreen's per-app path
After verifying the checksum, use More info and Run anyway only when Windows presents that option.
Ask your IT administrator
Use an approved deployment or App Control policy. Do not bypass organization-managed controls.
Turn off Smart App Control
Continue only after verification and only if you accept the reduced protection for every unknown application on the PC.
05 / System-wide change
Turn off Smart App Control
Only continue after confirming Smart App Control is the blocker and accepting that this reduces protection across Windows.
- 01Open Windows Security from Start.
- 02Select App & browser control.
- 03Select Smart App Control settings.
- 04Confirm Smart App Control, rather than SmartScreen, blocked Xarion.
- 05Select Off and accept the Windows confirmation.
- 06Run the checksum-verified Xarion installer again.
Do not disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Windows Firewall, reputation-based protection, or browser protection. They are not required to install Xarion.
Re-enabling behavior depends on the current Windows version and device state. Some configurations can return to Evaluation mode, while others may require resetting or reinstalling Windows. Review Microsoft's current guidance before changing the setting.
06 / Managed systems
Work and organization-managed computers
Do not attempt to change organization-managed security policies. Ask your IT administrator whether Xarion is approved and whether they can deploy an appropriate App Control policy.
07 / Support packet
Information that helps diagnose a block
- Windows version
- Exact warning text
- Xarion installer version
- PowerShell SHA-256 result
Never send passwords, recovery codes, product keys, or private application configuration files.