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shapeaway docs

Windows SmartScreen warning

The first time you run ShapeawaySetup-<version>.exe, Windows may show a blue box saying “Windows protected your PC”. This page explains why, and how to carry on safely.

Why it happens

Section titled “Why it happens”

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen judges downloads partly by reputation: how many people have already run that exact file without trouble. Every new version of every app starts with none, and a small app from a one-person studio builds it slowly. So the warning means Windows hasn’t seen this file often yet, not Windows found something wrong with it. When it does find something wrong, it says so and blocks the file outright.

The warning usually fades a few weeks after each release, as more people install it.

Carry on safely

Section titled “Carry on safely”
  1. Download the installer only from the download page (or install through Steam, below).
  2. When the warning appears, choose More info.
  3. Check that App says ShapeawaySetup-<version>.exe, with the version you downloaded.
  4. Choose Run anyway.

If there’s no Run anyway button, or a different message names Smart App Control, the block comes from a setting on your computer (or your organisation’s policy) rather than from the file. Smart App Control has no per-app exception, so ask whoever manages the computer, or contact us and tell us what the message said.

Check the fingerprint (optional)

Section titled “Check the fingerprint (optional)”

To be sure the file is exactly the one we published, compare its SHA-256 fingerprint with the one on the download page. In PowerShell, in the folder you downloaded to:

Terminal window
Get-FileHash .\ShapeawaySetup-4.0.0.exe

If the two don’t match, delete the file, download it again, and tell us if it still doesn’t match.

Your browser may warn too

Section titled “Your browser may warn too”

Microsoft Edge can say a new download “isn’t commonly downloaded” before it even finishes, for the same reason. Hover over the download, choose … › Keep, then Show more › Keep anyway. Other browsers have similar prompts.

Steam installs don’t see it

Section titled “Steam installs don’t see it”

If you buy Shapeaway on Steam, Steam installs and updates it, and you won’t see the SmartScreen warning or the browser prompt. Steam copies are always the full version.

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