How do I bypass SmartScreen for Obsidian?

Click "More info" in the SmartScreen dialog, then click "Run anyway". The file is safe — it is downloaded from the official Obsidian GitHub releases page.

Can I install Obsidian without admin rights on Windows 11?

Yes. The Obsidian installer targets the user profile by default and does not require administrator privileges on most Windows 11 configurations.

Obsidian Not Installing on Windows 11

Q: Why is Obsidian not installing on Windows 11?

The most common causes are: Windows SmartScreen blocking the .exe, antivirus software quarantining the installer, insufficient disk space, a corrupted download, or running the installer without the right user permissions.

Why Is Obsidian Not Installing on Windows 11?

🛡️

Windows SmartScreen Block 95% of cases

SmartScreen shows a warning for any newly released executable that hasn't yet accumulated enough reputation in Microsoft's database. This is the #1 cause.

🦠

Antivirus Interference Common

Real-time antivirus protection (Windows Defender, AVG, Avast, Malwarebytes) can quarantine or block the installer mid-write.

📁

Permission or Path Error Occasional

Installing to a protected system folder (e.g. C:\Program Files) without admin rights causes a silent failure.

💾

Corrupted Download Occasional

A partial or interrupted download produces a damaged .exe that fails to extract.

Step-by-Step Fixes

1

Bypass Windows SmartScreen

Fix first

When you see "Windows protected your PC":

→Click More info (blue link below the warning text).

→Click Run anyway. Installation will proceed normally.

Why is it safe? The installer is downloaded directly from github.com/obsidianmd/obsidian-releases — the official Obsidian repository. SmartScreen flags it because Obsidian releases updates frequently and each new .exe starts with zero reputation.

2

Disable Antivirus Temporarily

→Right-click your antivirus icon in the system tray → Pause / Disable for 10 minutes.

→Run the Obsidian installer again.

→Re-enable antivirus immediately after installation completes.

For Windows Defender: Settings → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Real-time protection → Off.

3

Re-download a Fresh Installer

→Delete the existing Obsidian-1.12.7.exe from your Downloads folder.

→Download a fresh copy using the button below.

→Check that the file size is ~90 MB — a smaller file indicates an incomplete download.

⬇ Download fresh Obsidian installer

4

Run as Administrator

→Right-click Obsidian-1.12.7.exe → Run as administrator.

→Click Yes in the UAC prompt.

→If this succeeds, your user account lacks write access to the default install path — consider installing to C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Obsidian instead.

Obsidian Not Installing on Windows 11 – How to Fix