Windows 11 Setup, SmartScreen & Firewall Configuration for ScreenTask

ScreenTask runs smoothly on Windows 11 and Windows 10. Because ScreenTask is a standalone open-source application that hosts an embedded HTTP server, first-time users on Windows 11 may encounter Windows Defender SmartScreen notifications or need to configure Windows Defender Firewall to allow incoming connections on port 9000.

This guide walks through the exact steps to install ScreenTask on Windows 11, grant necessary network permissions, and resolve common port-binding errors.

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System Requirements for Windows 11

ScreenTask is extremely lightweight and requires no external database or background service:

• Operating System: Windows 11 (all editions: Home, Pro, Enterprise) or Windows 10.
• Framework: Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 or higher (pre-installed by default on Windows 11).
• RAM: Less than 50 MB of memory while broadcasting.
• Disk Space: Less than 5 MB.

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Step 1: Downloading the Windows 11 Executable

Head over to the ScreenTask Download Hub and choose one of two options:

1. Installer (ScreenTask.v1.2.exe): A lightweight 750 KB setup wizard that creates desktop and Start Menu shortcuts.
2. Portable ZIP (ScreenTask.v1.2.zip): A 292 KB standalone archive. Extract the contents anywhere on your system (e.g., C:\Tools\ScreenTask) and run ScreenTask.exe directly without installation.

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Step 2: Bypassing Windows Defender SmartScreen

Because ScreenTask is an independent, community-driven open-source project without an expensive corporate Extended Validation (EV) code-signing certificate, Windows 11 may display the “Windows protected your PC” SmartScreen popup upon first launch.

To open the application:

1. Click “More info” on the blue SmartScreen popup.
2. Click the “Run anyway” button that appears at the bottom right.
3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow ScreenTask to manage firewall rules.

ScreenTask’s source code is 100% public and auditable on GitHub under the GNU General Public License v3.0.

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Step 3: Setting Your Network Profile to Private

Windows 11 treats Public and Private networks differently. On Public networks, Windows blocks almost all unsolicited incoming connections to protect your device in coffee shops and airports. To allow other devices on your home or office network to connect:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11 (Win + I).
2. Go to Network & internet $\rightarrow$ Wi-Fi (or Ethernet).
3. Click on your connected network name.
4. Under Network profile type, select Private network.

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Step 4: Configuring Windows Defender Firewall for Port 9000

When you click Start Server in ScreenTask, the application attempts to register an incoming firewall rule via netsh advfirewall. However, if your user account lacks administrative privileges, or if third-party antivirus software manages your firewall, you can manually allow port 9000:

Manual Inbound Rule via Windows Firewall GUI

1. Press Win + R, type wf.msc, and press Enter to open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
2. Click Inbound Rules in the left sidebar.
3. In the right panel, click New Rule….
4. Select Port and click Next.
5. Choose TCP and enter 9000 (or the custom port you configured in ScreenTask) in the Specific local ports field. Click Next.
6. Select Allow the connection and click Next.
7. Check Private (and optionally Domain). Click Next.
8. Name the rule ScreenTask HTTP Server and click Finish.

Quick Setup via PowerShell (Run as Administrator)

Alternatively, open PowerShell as Administrator and execute this single command:

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "ScreenTask Server" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 9000 -Protocol TCP -Action Allow -Profile Private

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Step 5: Setting Up Auto-Start with Windows 11

If you use ScreenTask for permanent workstations, digital signage, or constant classroom monitoring, you can configure it to start automatically when Windows boots:

1. Open ScreenTask and go to settings.
2. Enable Minimize to System Tray.
3. Enable Auto-start on Windows boot.
4. ScreenTask will sit quietly in your Windows 11 system tray, ready to broadcast without cluttering your taskbar.

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Troubleshooting: Windows 11 Mobile Hotspot (192.168.137.1:7070)

When sharing your display without an external Wi-Fi router, you can turn your Windows 11 PC into a wireless hotspot:

1. Open Settings (Win + I) $\rightarrow$ Network & internet $\rightarrow$ Mobile hotspot.
2. Toggle Mobile hotspot to On.
3. Windows 11 assigns the host PC an internal adapter address within the subnet 192.168.137.1.
4. Launch ScreenTask and select the 192.168.137.1 adapter from the IP drop-down.
5. In ScreenTask, specify port 7070 (or 9000).
6. Connect viewer devices (phones, tablets, other laptops) to your PC’s hotspot network.
7. Open their web browser and navigate to http://192.168.137.1:7070.

[!NOTE] If connected devices receive an IP like 192.168.137.100 but cannot load the page, verify that the Windows Mobile Hotspot virtual adapter connection is categorized as Private in firewall settings.

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Summary Checklist

• Downloaded verified release from the ScreenTask Download Hub.
• Bypassed SmartScreen via “More info” $\rightarrow$ “Run anyway”.
• Configured Windows 11 network profile to Private.
• Allowed incoming TCP port 9000 through Windows Defender Firewall.
• Selected host’s Wi-Fi or Ethernet IPv4 address in ScreenTask settings.