Windows Security Update Causing Installation Warning (Windows 11 24H2 and above)

Affected Systems: Windows 11 version 24H2 and above only

Unaffected Systems: This issue does NOT affect Windows 10, ChromeOS, MacOS, or Merlyn Display users.

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What's Happening?

A recent Microsoft Defender security update (KB2267602, Version 1.441.743.0) has introduced enhanced security measures in Windows 11 24H2 and above that may flag the Merlyn application with a warning screen when launching the app. This is a false positive related to Microsoft's SmartScreen reputation system and does not indicate any actual security risk with the Merlyn application.

When affected users attempt to open Merlyn, they may see a blue warning screen indicating the app "might be unsafe" because it wasn't downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Additionally, microphone permissions may be reset and will need to be re-enabled.

How to Resolve

Users can safely bypass this warning and restore full functionality by following these steps:

Step 1: Bypass the Security Warning

1. When the blue warning screen appears, look for the "More info" link
2. Click "More info"
3. Click the "Run anyway" button that appears
4. The Merlyn application will launch

Step 2: Re-enable Microphone Permissions

After bypassing the warning, you'll need to restore microphone access:

If prompted, please click "Yes to allow Merlyn Origin access your microphone.

If you are not prompted, please use the following steps:

1. Open Windows Settings (Windows key + I)
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security > Microphone
3. Ensure "Microphone access" is turned ON
4. Scroll down and ensure the Merlyn application has microphone permission enabled

Once these steps are completed, Merlyn will function normally.

Why Is This Happening?

Windows 11 24H2 introduced stricter security requirements for applications not distributed through the Microsoft Store. The recent Defender update has further enhanced these protections. Merlyn's development team is actively working with Microsoft to resolve this false positive.

What We're Doing

Our team is working to permanently resolve this issue by:

• Submitting a false positive report to Microsoft
• Working to enhance our application's reputation with Microsoft's SmartScreen system
• Investigating additional distribution options

We expect this issue to be resolved in a future update and will keep you informed of our progress.

Need Additional Help?

If you continue to experience issues after following these steps, please contact Merlyn support with:

• Your Windows version (Settings > System > About)
• Screenshots of any error messages
• Details about when the issue occurs

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Last Updated: 12/5/2025