Quite often, Windows users, regardless of the version of the system they use, when trying to open files or run installers, including drivers, can see a message on the screen stating that Internet security settings did not allow the file to be opened. But the saddest thing is that this applies to any files and programs, and not just those downloaded from the World Wide Web. Why this happens and how to fix the problem, read on. To do this, you can use several simple methods that prevent the security settings from interfering.
Files cannot be opened: what is the reason?
Indeed, such a situation is not uncommon. Okay, this would only apply to opening files, but you can see this even if you try to change the time and date. And in general, what does the Internet have to do with it?
The fact is that the notification that the Internet security settings did not allow to open the files is caused by the Windows protection system, which closely interacts with the settings of the built-in browser. In other words, the same “Defender” (Windows Defender) is directly connected to Internet Explorer, which is installed by default for accessing web resources. In the aggregate, the parameters of both applications block the execution of programs, opening files, or performing any other actions in the system. But it is possible to deal with such a manifestation of “concern” for user safety.
Unlocking Installers
To begin, consider the example with the installation file using the example of the 7z archiver installer. Indeed, sometimes Windows may issue a warning that the Internet security settings did not allow the file to be opened.
We assume that it was downloaded from the Internet. In this case, the system refers to the fact that the object was downloaded from an unknown resource and was blocked for security purposes. You can fix the problem through the properties menu, called through RMB on the file itself in the "Explorer". The “Unlock” button may be present on the bottom of the properties tab, which must be pressed, save the changes, and then restart the installation.
If there is no such button, or the application of these actions did not work, and the message that the Internet security settings did not allow the file to open appears again, you can use the unlock line through the Unlocker utility in the context menu, of course, if this program is installed ( at least in Windows 7 it is). If none of these methods help, go to the next settings.
If for Windows security these files cannot be opened: resetting the internal browser settings
To begin with, in the "Control Panel" through the "Network Control Center" section, select the browser properties item. In it you need to use the transition to advanced settings.
On the tab of the same name, you must press the reset button below, and in the next step, select the checkbox next to the line for deleting personal data.
If after that the desired effect has not been achieved, the security tab is used, where in the selection zone the icon of dangerous sites is first clicked, and then the “Other” button for changing the security level. In the new window, opposite the three components of the .NET Framework, the inclusion is established, and then the reset button is pressed. After that, the actions described in the first step are performed, after which the system is completely rebooted.
Managing Windows Defender Settings
One of the biggest problems for Windows users is Defender, which is capable of blocking whatever it pleases (for completely unknown reasons).
In order to remove the message that the Internet security settings did not allow opening the file, through the “Control Panel” you need to enter its settings, in the settings section deactivate the real-time protection line and save the changes.
Note: in Windows 8.1, the “Administrator” item is used in the parameters, and in Windows 10 protection is disabled by a special slider.
System registry actions
Finally, the desired effect can be achieved by changing some parameters and registry keys. You can call the editor through the "Run" console by entering the regedit command in it (launching as administrator is required).
Through the HKLM branch, you need to go to the Internet Settings section and use the Zones directory there, which contains subfolders with numbers. If among them there are objects indicated by letters, and not numbers, they must be deleted (in the example above, this is the L directory). After removal, as in previous cases, the computer system must be rebooted.
Brief summary
Here, in fact, all the methods to get rid of the appearance of such unpleasant situations. In general, fixing the problem looks quite simple, but it is recommended to start with the settings of IE and Defender. As an additional measure, users of the seventh modification of the system need to check whether the SP2 service pack is installed (its absence can also provoke the appearance of such failures). If after disabling everything that was described above, the message no longer appears, you can basically not touch the registry, but it’s worth checking.