Security Warning on all Executables

[xichael]

I just installed Windows 7 64-bit for the first time, and after installing all the "important" updates, I'm having this problem where all executable files (.exe, .msi, .bat), as well as shortcuts to .msc files (but not the files themselves) are prompting an "Open File - Security Warning / Do you want to run this file?" conformation (see attached screenshot).

I got it mostly under control with a combination of enabling "Launching applications and unsafe files" in the Internet Security Zone settings, and adding the above file types to the "Inclusion list for moderate risk file types" in the Group Policy Editor.

This has worked when launching files directly, but many installers extract their executables to the temp folder, where the're being blocked from running.

I'd love to get at the underlying cause of this problem, but I'll accept any other workarounds anyone can offer.

 

[Brink]

Hello Xichael,

This is the normal warning message that you will get when you try to run or open a file that was downloaded from the internet or saved to your computer from an external source.

Normally, you would just need to unblock the file as in the tutorial below first to stop this message for the file.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/124367-open-file-security-warning-unblock-file.html


For the workaround that you mentioned:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...urity-warning-allow-prevent-unblock-file.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[xichael]

This is the normal warning message that you will get when you try to run or open a file that was downloaded from the internet or saved to your computer from an external source.

This is not the usual warning you're thinking of. I'm familiar with this popping up for files I've downloaded, but this is happening with every executable file, including those installed with Windows - Internet Explorer or Notepad, for example - as well as programs I'd previously installed and run without incident - Chrome, Komodo Edit, etc.

As I mentioned, this started after first running Windows Update, if that's any clue.

 

[Brink]

In that case, see if this may work for you instead. It uses the Inclusion list for low file types option instead that usually works better.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/182353-open-file-security-warning-enable-disable.html

 

[xichael]

This does solve the problem for when opening files directly, but for installing apps that extract to the temp folder, the problem remains.

For example, when installing Jing, it extracted an .msi file, but failed when attempting to run it (see attached screenshot). I could, however, open the temp folder and run it myself.

I just tried installing Java as well, and it doesn't even get as far as extracting itself (2nd screenshot). Not sure how to get this installed.

I really appreciate the help, Shawn.

 

[Brink]

Well, that's good. We got it half way sorted.

You might see if this may be able to help with that error. It's for XP, but still applies to Windows 7 as well.

"The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed" error message when you install a program in Windows XP

 

[xichael]

I had actually tried that, but it had no effect.

 

[xichael]

I am truly bewildered. I just went through and uninstalled every update (except a couple which didn't have the option: KB2533552 and KB976902). It had no affect.

I then created a new user account, which has the same problem.

I tried installing Microsoft Security Essentials. It failed as well, giving me a link to this article for a remedy which did not work.

I suppose I could do a repair install, but I'd rather not have to. I don't have much faith that it would work anyway.

Should I just go back to my trusty 32-bit? I had hopes of getting more RAM soon, but 64-bit is proving to be a debacle.

But why? What has happened to my system? I've never encountered such an impenetrable conundrum.

 

[Brink]

I think you may just have a bad install caused by something.

I would usually recommend trying a system restore using a restore point dated before this happened, but since you just installed Windows you may not have one and a clean install of either 32-bit or 64-bit may be the option to do instead.

 

[search53]

Have you tried setting the UAC to "Never notify"? I got so annoyed with its interfering that this is what I ended up having to do.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/299-user-account-control-uac-change-notification-settings.html

 

[xichael]

Have you tried setting the UAC to "Never notify"?

That's one of the first things I do when setting up Windows. This, unfortunately, goes beyond the realm of UAC.


I ended up having to reinstall Windows altogether. This problem was so insidious, I couldn't even do a repair install (as per this tutorial). Setup.exe would just crash immediately after clicking "Install now", where it would normally say "Setup is copying temporary files". Absolutely nothing was immune to this bug.

So, this time around, I've set restore points every step of the way. Hopefully, I won't have to use them.

 

[Brink]

Xichael,

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted. To bad it took a clean install to do it.

 

[xichael]

The problem has returned. Nothing will write to any temp folder, and therefore nothing can be installed—including a repair installation of windows. Going back to one of my original restore points didn't work either.

I'm giving up on 64-bit Windows for now. I'd never seen this problem until now. Hopefully I'll never see this system-destroying bug again.

Now off to wipe and copy back 1TB of data and reinstall dozens of apps for the third time.

 

[Brink]

I'm sorry to hear that Xichael. I hope the new installation goes and runs smoothly for you.

 

[xichael]

My god, it's back.

I believe I witnessed the genesis of the problem this time; it began immediately after running IE9 for the first time. I uninstalled it to no avail.

There must be a solution to this short of reinstalling Windows yet again.

Help!