Windows 7 - Open File Security Warning - Enable or Disable

   Information

This will show you how to enable or disable XP, Vista, or Windows 7 prompting you with the Open File Security Warning when you open or run a downloaded or copied file from the internet or another computer on your computer.

You will need to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Warning

The Open File - Security Warning prompt is a security measure in Windows 7 and Vista to ask for your permission (like UAC) before allowing a downloaded or copied file from the internet or another computer to be opened or run on your computer.

Disabling Open File - Security Warning will reduce the security level of Windows, and place your computer at a higher risk of being infected by malware.

Disable at your own risk if you no longer want to have a Open File - Security Warning.

• Do you want to open this File? Unknown Publisher
• The Publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software? Unknown Publisher
• Do you want tio run this file? Application

1. To Enable the "Open File Security Warning"
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Enable_Open-File_Security_Warning.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Disable the "Open File Security Warning"

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Disable_Open-File_Security_Warning.reg

   Note

This will include the same file extensions in step 4D of OPTION TWO below. If you would like to add or remove file extensions from the exception list, then:

• After downloading the REG file, do steps 3-5 below first.
• Open the Start Menu, type regedit in the search box, and press Enter.
• If prompted by UAC, click on Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista).
• In regedit, navigate to the location below:
  • Code:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations

• In the right pane of Associations, double click on LowRiskFileTypes.
• Add or remove file extensions using the same format, and click on OK when finished.
• Close regedit, and go to step 6 below.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Attachment Manager. (see screenshot below)

3. To Enable the "Open File Security Warning"

A) In the right pane, double click on Do not preserve zone information in file attachments. (see screenshot below step 2)

B) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

C) In the right pane, double click on Inclusion list for low file types. (see screenshot below step 2)

D) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

4. To Disable the "Open File Security Warning"

A) In the right pane, double click on Do not preserve zone information in file attachments. (see screenshot below step 2)

B) Select (dot) Enabled, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

C) In the right pane, double click on Inclusion list for low file types. (see screenshot below step 2)

D) Select (dot) Enabled, then copy and paste the extensions below exactly as is into the Options box and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: These are the most common file extensions for this. If you like, you could add or remove file extensions to or from the list at anytime for those that you want to or do not want to get a Open File - Security Warning for.

Code:

.avi;.bat;.com;.cmd;.exe;.htm;.html;.mpg;.mpeg;.mov;.mp3;.msi;.m3u;.rar;.reg;.txt;.vbs;.wav;.zip;

5. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.