How to Unblock a Downloaded File in Windows

Introduction

When you download a file from the Internet or receive one by email. Microsoft Windows classifies certain files as unsafe downloads and attachments by identifying the files type and the security settings for each file. For doing this, it uses the Attachment Manager in Windows, which is a service that gets activated whenever you tried to download a file or a program from the Internet or you received an e-mail message with an attachment. 

Blocking of downloaded files in Windows is a security and safety feature to help prevent your computer from being infected by viruses and other malware. When some files are downloaded from the internet, they are blocked. Some files can still be opened even if they are blocked. 

Compressed files (.ZIP or .ISO) should be "Unblocked" before their contents are extracted. By default, several standard file extensions are blocked, including any file extensions that are treated as Executable or Compressed files by Windows Explorer. Please check the downloaded files from our AMAG Partner Web Site and make sure its "Unblocked" before using them, including Symmetry Installation Media, Service Packs, Patches, and Utilities.    

The file extensions blocked by default are: (.ade, .adp, .app, .asp, .bas, .bat, .chm, .cla, .class, .cmd, .com, .cpl, .crt, .der, .dll, .exe, .fxp, .grp, .hlp, .hta, .inf, .ins, .isp, .jse, .lnk, .mda, .mdb, .mde, .mdt, .mdw, .mdz, .msc, .msh, .msi, .msp, .mst, .ops, .pcd, .pif, .plg, .prf, .pst, .prg, .ps1, .reg, .scf, .scr, .sct, .shb, .shs, .tmp, .url, .vb, .vbe, .vbp, .vbs, .vsmacros, .vsw, .wsc, .wsf, .wsh, .xnk).

Unblock a Downloaded File in Windows

To Unblock a Downloaded File in Windows, the following steps needs to be performed

1- Open Windows Explorer, browse and select the downloaded file.

2- Right-Click on the downloaded file, and click Properties from the context menu.

3- In General tab > Security (right under Attributes Section), Click the Unblock button, and click OK or          Apply.      

(Important: ZIP or ISO files should be "Unblocked" before their contents are extracted)

4- Now you will be able to access or open the downloaded file.