These files might be harmful to your computer message(desktop)

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  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
       #1

    These files might be harmful to your computer message(desktop)


    Hi.
    Over the last week or so, I am being prompted with this error message on my desktop when I either drag a item to the recycle bin or go to open my user folder on the desktop. I have run anti-virus and malware scans and this isn't solving the problem. It doesn't do this with any other folder. Any help would be most appreciated.
    Changing UAC settings to never notify, hasn't resolved the problem.
    These files might be harmful to your computer message(desktop)-error.png
    Last edited by darbs9172; 19 Aug 2016 at 17:41.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 222
    Windows 10
       #2

    Hello and welcome

    What files are it? What does "Show details" say? What happens if you press "OK"?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    General files being deleted.....jpgs, notepad, word, pfd.
    Show details reveals C:\Users/Dave\Favourites\Desktop.
    When I drag and go to drop and click OK, the file drops into the chosen target.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15
    Win10 64-bit, Win7 (32-&-64 bit) & virtualised XP
       #4

    Another useless and annoying Microsoft security feature


    I've been getting this message for a few months in both Windows 10 and Windows 7 whenever I use File Explorer/Windows Explorer to copy or move any file or drawer to/from the Favorites drawer, or any subdrawer within it.

    The warning message doesn't appear when re-organising Favorites from within Internet Explorer.

    I'm guesstimating this extra unwanted security feature was installed with Internet Explorer 11. You're correct, it doesn't relate to any malware scan. I'm not sure what useful purpose it's meant to accomplish. Basically just more nanny-like hand-holding from Microsoft.

    I haven't found a way to turn off this 'feature,' so I generally I just click OK every time. If you do a lot of Favorites re-arranging, you could install a button-clicking program like PTFB Pro (trialware/payware), or use a third party twin-pane file manager such as Saladin for it instead of File Explorer

    In case you don't know the following, and if it's pertinent: the Favorites drawer, should basically only be used to store Internet Shortcut files and subfolders. Though I do break the rule a bit with the occasional non-internet shortcut (.lnk) to personal documents in some of my Favorites subdrawers. It's definitely not a good place to store 'general files'.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Cheers for your reply Steve.
    You quote "I remember correctly on the file having been downloaded from somewhere other than a site you've specified as a Trusted Site in Internet Explorer". ......... these files aren't being download from the internet. These are my current jpegs, pdf's and word documents that I have created and placed on the desktop.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 15
    Win10 64-bit, Win7 (32-&-64 bit) & virtualised XP
       #6

    darbs9172 said:
    Cheers for your reply Steve.
    You quote "I remember correctly on the file having been downloaded from somewhere other than a site you've specified as a Trusted Site in Internet Explorer". ......... these files aren't being download from the internet. These are my current jpegs, pdf's and word documents that I have created and placed on the desktop.
    Yeah sorry I just edited out that bit. I forget the exact details of why Microsoft give a security warning, except that it was useless and definitely unrelated to malware scanning.

    The example you gave included 'Favorites' in the pathname. Are you saying that you get the warning message when you're moving files on the Desktop (i.e. icons on your wallpaper), and not to or from Favorites?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    The files I am moving are on the desktop.
    I am being prompted when I move these files to either recycle bin, user folder or other folders created on ,my desktop. Even when manually moving shortcuts to the bin, I am being prompted.
    Yes I could highlight and select a few and press delete and that would be OK. But I like to drag and drop
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15
    Win10 64-bit, Win7 (32-&-64 bit) & virtualised XP
       #8

    If you haven't already set the User Account Control slider to minimum you should, details here.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    First thing I did
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 15
    Win10 64-bit, Win7 (32-&-64 bit) & virtualised XP
       #10

    Sorry, I missed you having said that.

    Would you please create a text document on your desktop via rightClicking on the desktop then ->New->Text Document.

    Then drag it to the bin and let me know whether you get the "These files might be harmful to your computer" warning message.
      My Computer


 

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