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Windows SmartScreen / Defender says "unknown publisher" or deletes the installer
Why does this happen?
SuperSQE is a self-contained installer — it bundles its own Node.js runtime, PostgreSQL database, Playwright browsers and the runner agents into a single file. That is exactly what legitimate products do, but it also matches the pattern of "installer bundlers", so Microsoft's cloud reputation engine occasionally flags the unsigned installer as Program:Win32/Contebrew.A!ml.
This is a false positive. The installer is the official SuperSQE distribution: every download ships with its SHA256 checksum, published on the Downloads page, and the checksum matches the file exactly.
The definitive fix is a code-signing certificate (which gives the installer reputation with Windows). Until SuperSQE signs its installers, the workarounds below let you install safely.
Option 1 — SmartScreen "More info → Run anyway"
- Right-click the downloaded
supersqe-setup-*.exe→ Properties. - If you see Unblock at the bottom, tick it and click OK.
- Run the installer. When the blue SmartScreen screen appears, click More info → Run anyway.
- Verify the SHA256 checksum first (see Option 4) — then it's safe to run.
Option 2 — Restore a deleted file
- Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Protection history.
- Find the SuperSQE entry → expand it → Actions → Restore.
- Right-click the restored file → Properties → Unblock → run it.
Option 3 — Verify the checksum before running
Open PowerShell in the download folder and run:
Get-FileHash .\supersqe-setup-1.0.2-x64.exe -Algorithm SHA256
Compare the output with the SHA256 shown on the Downloads page. If they match, the file is the official, untampered installer.
Option 4 — Report the false positive to Microsoft
Help us clear the detection for everyone:
- Go to Microsoft Defender Security Intelligence submission.
- Sign in, upload
supersqe-setup-1.0.2-x64.exeand select "This file is incorrectly detected". - Microsoft typically whitelists the file within a few days.
Signed installers are coming
SuperSQE is adding a code-signing certificate to its release pipeline. Signed installers are trusted by Windows automatically.
Checksums are published
Every release publishes its SHA256 checksum on the Downloads page. Verify before you run — a mismatch means the file was tampered with.
Never disable Windows Security globally. Only unblock the specific installer after verifying its checksum.