How to stop File Download - Security Warning

[Peru]

One of my Windows 10 computers started giving this warning when I try to open a website from the Links section of the taskbar.
There is no option to uncheck always....
Then a few days later a second W10 computer started doing the same thing. I assume it is because of a Windows update.

I tried every fix here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=File+Do ... e&ie=UTF-8


but none of them worked, even after restarting the computer.

I've changed UAC settings, internet settings in control panel, checked permissions, but am not able to stop this message from appearing. I can click Open and the site will open OK, but it is annoying to have to do that for trusted sites.

Does anybody have a solution for this?

[Peru]

This is the reply that I received on the Microsoft forum:

Patch - MSFT
Microsoft Agent
|
Moderator
Replied on February 19, 2024Report abuse
Hello Peru Bob

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

The "File Download - Security Warning" prompt you're experiencing on your Windows 10 computers when opening a website from the Links section of the taskbar can indeed be frustrating. It sounds like you've already tried a range of solutions including adjusting User Account Control (UAC) settings, modifying Internet Options in the Control Panel, and verifying permissions without success. Here are a few additional steps you can try to resolve the issue:
Check for Windows Updates:
Ensure that your system is fully updated. Sometimes, an update may introduce a bug that is later fixed in a subsequent update.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
Reset Internet Explorer Settings:
Even if you don't use Internet Explorer, Windows still uses its settings for certain security prompts and other features.
Open Internet Explorer, go to the gear icon for Tools, select Internet Options, go to the Advanced tab, and click Reset. Note that this will reset all Internet Explorer settings, including your home page, search providers, and add-ons.
Scan for Malware:
Sometimes malware can cause unexpected system behavior. Run a full system scan using your antivirus software, or consider using Microsoft's built-in Windows Defender.
Check File Type Associations:
The warning might be related to specific file types trying to open through the taskbar links. Check the file association settings by going to Settings > Apps > Default apps and selecting Choose default apps by file type.
And you may Perform a clean boot (microsoft.com) to see if it is normal, this is a troubleshooting step. In this mode, we can further confirmed whether it is caused by system problems or third-party software or personalized Settings. So please be patient.
Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.
These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get you back on track.
System File Checker (SFC) and DISM:
Corrupted system files could potentially cause this issue. Run the System File Checker and the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to repair Windows images, Windows Setup, and Windows PE.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run sfc /scannow. After it completes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
You can create a new local account by following the steps below and switch to the newly created account to see if the function is normal. Because this cannot be ruled out due to the wrong configuration. Visit Create a local user or administrator account in Windows - Microsoft Support for more details.
Create a local user account
Select Start > Settings > Accounts and then select Family & other users. (In some versions of Windows you'll see Other users.)
Next to Add other user, select Add account.
Select I don't have this person's sign-in information, and on the next page, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter a username, password, or password hint—or choose security questions—and then select Next.


Change a local user account to an administrator account
Select Start > Settings > Accounts.
Under Family & other users, select the account owner name (you should see "Local account" below the name), then select Change account type.
Note: If you choose an account that shows an email address or doesn't say "Local account", then you're giving administrator permissions to a Microsoft account, not a local account.
Under Account type, select Administrator, and then select OK.
Sign in with the new administrator account.
Note: If the new account is normal, please do not delete the old account before backing up the data of the old account to avoid any data loss.



Note: If the new account can install the feature normally, and you want to use the new account, then you need to understand that the user data in the old account (under the C:\user\<your user name> directory) will not be synchronized To the new account, you can only restore the data as much as possible by copying all the data (files, folders) under the old account to the new user folder and replacing the files/folders under new user account, then there is no guarantee of 100% success, including your User data from some Windows apps and all third-party apps in the old account won't sync. So please proceed with caution.

If there is anything not clear or I can't understand your problem, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards
Patch - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

[Peru]

This is my reply to it:

@Patch - MSFT

I tried all but creating a new user account.

None of the other suggestions worked.



I hesitate creating unnecessary user accounts, as I have it set up to boot without a password or log in, and it took me quite a while to get it working that way.

I also think it unlikely that would fix it, as it happened on two different computers in two different physical locations after Windows updated. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if another Windows update fixes this.

[Peru]

I found the solution here:


https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/win ... 7d9689ed5b

Try this, it worked for me.
At an elevated command prompt, run the following two commands.
PUSHD %userprofile%\Favorites
ICACLS *.URL /L /T /SETINTEGRITYLEVEL MED
That should fix the problem.
Note: If your .url file(s) have a location other than "%userprofile%\Favorites" then simply change the first line's path instruction to wherever your file(s) are located.
The second command will also work on any subfolders of the first line's location, but any separate locations elsewhere on your system will have to be dealt with individually.