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The Windows SmartScreen warning

When you run the Keryx Maps installer on Windows, you may see a blue “Windows protected your PC” message from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. This is expected for a newly published app, and the installer is safe. Here's what it means and how to continue.

What you'll see

Windows protected your PC

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.

SmartScreen shows this for any app it hasn't seen often enough yet — it's a reputation prompt, not a virus detection. It does not mean the file is harmful.

How to install

  1. 1.On the SmartScreen dialog, click More info.
  2. 2.A Run anyway button appears — click it.
  3. 3.The Keryx Maps installer continues normally.

If you don't see Run anyway, the More info link is small grey text directly under the message — click it first and the button appears.

Verify the download is authentic

Want to be certain you have the genuine file before running it? Check its SHA-256 checksum against the value we publish. In PowerShell:

Get-FileHash .\Keryx-Maps_1.2.1_x64-setup.exe -Algorithm SHA256

Compare the result to the Windows checksum on the download page. If they match, the file is byte-for-byte what we published.

Why does this happen?

SmartScreen builds trust for an app based on how widely and safely it has been downloaded. A new app — or a fresh release of an existing one — starts with little reputation, so Windows asks you to confirm. As more people install Keryx Maps without issues, the warning goes away on its own.

We're also adding code signing under our company identity (RDF Industries, Inc.), which replaces the “unknown publisher” wording with our verified name and speeds this up. Until reputation is fully established, the More info → Run anyway step above is the safe way through.

Is it safe?

  • Keryx Maps is offline-first and privacy-first — your location and personal data stay on your device.
  • Every installer is published with a SHA-256 checksum you can verify (above).
  • Only download from keryxmaps.com/download — never from a third-party mirror.
  • SmartScreen's “unrecognized app” is about reputation, not a malware finding.

Still unsure, or seeing a different warning (for example a virus detection rather than the reputation prompt)? We're happy to help.