Windows firewall blocking .exe file even after firewall is disabled

[jchurch]

Hey everyone,
This is my first post, and first time I've not been able to solve my problem by searching previous posts...so hopefully someone can help me out.
I'm trying to install a downloaded .exe file, and Windows firewall is blocking it regardless of whether the firewall is active or not; the specific error message & the subsequent Windows help screen are attached. The Windows help screen indicates that the file came from an "untrusted" website, and suggests adding the source website to the "trusted" list if I'm sure that the file is safe (which I am, and I did...and I'm getting the same results when I try to open the .exe).
After the adding the source site to the "trusted" category failed, I attempted to run the file after completely shutting off Windows firewall (along with Bitdefender, which I'm also running). I'm still getting the same error message; it's as if Windows firewall is just ignoring me...can anyone help me either get around this, or tell me how to really shut off the firewall so it stops blocking this file?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

You can turn the Windows Firewall back on. The issue has nothing to do with the Firewall.

You can turn the Bitdefender back on too.

The issue is probably caused by one or more settings within IE. You might try resetting IE:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1222-internet-explorer-reset.html

 

[ShamrockRig]

What .exe is it your trying to download?

 

[jchurch]

Thanks for the replies! Usernameissues, I read the thread on resetting IE and gave that a shot; I set all IE options back to their default settings and tried again, but got the same results. I actually use Mozilla as my default browser, so I'll give the same thing a try on Mozilla I guess...since the error was coming from a Windows dialogue box, I figured it would've been a Windows application blocking the program.

Devlin1888, the file I'm trying to run is a trial version of Sketchup Pro...not sure why my computer doesn't trust it.

I'll try resetting my Mozilla security options and let you know the results. If you have any other ideas in the meantime, I'd be glad to hear them; thanks!

 

[jchurch]

I reset Mozilla as well, using the steps on their support site here:
Reset Firefox preferences to troubleshoot and fix problems | Firefox Help

Still no luck, getting the same blocked .exe error message...

 

[UsernameIssues]

You are probably right about the popup coming from Windows instead of a browser. But I've never seen the firewall make that warning and googling the text in the popup lead to several forum threads where the issue was solved by resetting IE.

You might want to glance at this post/video to identify the process associated with a popup:
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/315326-win7-resource-monitor-3.html#post2644972

Can you provide a link to the download so we can try too?

 

[UsernameIssues]

As a side issue, did you save those screenshots using MS Paint?

 

[Jacee]

Can you tell us where you're trying to download it from?
Don't post a direct link! ... just let us know from 'where'.

 

[ShamrockRig]

If you let us know where from, as Jacee said but not a direct link, il give it a look and try and download myself depending on the source.

 

[Slartybart]

Can you expand the Show details chevron on the warning and post that screen shot?

Thanks

 

[jchurch]

This is odd...I'd shut my laptop down for the night, and it the file worked when I tried to run it when I turned it back on this morning. Maybe after clearing my IE/Mozilla options yesterday, I needed a reboot? I hadn't completely shut off & turned back on yesterday after clearing IE per UsernameIssues' suggestion.

To answer the other questions, I'd downloaded from sketchup.com; file name's SketchUpProWEN.exe

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[jchurch]

Also, to answer UsernameIssues' question about my screenshots: yes, I did a print screen & saved in MS paint. Is there an easier way to do this without something like Snagit? I don't have any extra screen capture software on my home laptop.

 

[Slartybart]

I visited sketchup.com and tried the download. I had no difficulties or warnings.

The Mozilla clean, reboot seems to have resolved the issue for you. That's good.

What caused it in the first place will be difficult, if not impossible, to figure out.

I'd like you to do a quick malware scan on your system just to make sure there isn't anything lurking.

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free (click here to download, select the free version)
"Save as" the install package to your Desktop
Double click the mbam-setup file on your desktop to install and run Malwarebytes (Mbam)

Answer YES to all authorization prompts and then follow the Mbam setup prompts.
Do not make any changes to default settings.
When the install is finished, verify that only the following two options have checkmarks,
change to match if necessary.
[[FONT=Webdings, serif]a[/FONT]] Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
[a] Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware

Make sure that there is NOT a checkmark next to:
[ ] Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO

Then click the Finish button.

Allow Mbam to update, then
Select Perform Quick Scan from the options on the Scanner tab, then
Click the Scan button.

After the scan is complete
Click on Show Results
A window displaying any detected malware is shown
Select all malware (make sure all objects are ticked [a]), then
Click on Remove Selected

The Mbam report file pops up in your text editor when Mbam has completed the removal process.

:ar: Select all of the text in the report (Ctrl+A) and paste the text in a new post on this thread.

   Note

If Mbam encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you are asked to restart the computer.
The restart is REQUIRED to allow Mbam to complete the removal of the malware.
Failure to restart means that the malware is still present on your machine.

:info: You want to restart in Normal mode, not in Safe mode.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Also, to answer UsernameIssues' question about my screenshots: yes, I did a print screen & saved in MS paint. Is there an easier way to do this without something like Snagit? I don't have any extra screen capture software on my home laptop.

MS Paint is fine. I was going to suggest reducing the "whiteboard" area. That makes for better screenshots.

Open MS Paint.
Click on (and hold) the lower right corner of the whiteboard area.
Drag that corner diagonally until the whiteboard area is small.
Close MS Paint.
(Select Don't Save.)

The next time that you open MS Paint, the whiteboard area should be small.
If you paste a small image in (like your first screenshot)...
... all of that extra whiteboard area will not be shown.





Below is a small image without the extra whiteboard area. As long as the whiteboard area is smaller than the image being pasted in, that whiteboard area should not show:


Below is the same small image that was pasted in without reducing the whiteboard area. It is kind of hard to see.



It is a minor thing... but it makes smaller images easier to see in the forum.

You can also use W7's native Snipping Tool.

You can have the images appear in the body of your post instead of as attachments at the end. See the steps here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html


You can always expand the whiteboard area within MS Paint if you need it someday

 

[cyclops]

Unernameissues, I hear you and I know it works, but I really don't enjoy pasting individual screens one at a time and having to create a new page for every one that gets filled up. I participate in other forums where this is not such a problem. Honestly, I think paint is pretty lame. I can save a whole thread as .pdf in Acrobat, but noooo! I like helping others but this can be a pain to do for several people who don't read and follow direction until somebody hits them in the nose.