Why does Windows warn me about MercStats Companion?

SmartScreen evaluates a downloaded app's file and publisher reputation. A new or less widely downloaded Companion release can be treated as unrecognized while Windows has limited reputation information about it.

We plan to address this as part of taking Companion out of beta. Signing and publisher reputation are part of that work. A newly signed release can still show a warning while trust builds, so a stable-release label alone does not determine what Windows displays.

Open the MercStats Companion page and use its download links. That page is our starting point for available packages. If someone sent you a file directly, use our official page to check where the download should come from.

If you are unsure about a prompt, stop and ask us on Discord. Include the exact wording or a screenshot, your Windows version, the Companion version if known, and where you downloaded the file. Those details help us understand which warning you encountered.

An unrecognized-app message, a named malware detection, and a request for administrator permission are different reports. Please include the actual message rather than only saying that Windows blocked the app. We can then investigate the specific file and installation step involved.

If you would prefer to wait for a later Companion release, you can still browse MercStats and upload completed .StormReplay files manually through the Replays page.

Open the official Companion page

Need a hand? Contact us on Discord.

Reference: Microsoft's SmartScreen reputation documentation.

Related help guides

• Where are Heroes of the Storm replay files saved?
• Why is my HotS player profile missing on MercStats?
• Why do HotS stats differ between MercStats and other sites?

All frequently asked questions