Windows Security - These files can't be opened. Windows 10

Ohoopee · 10 Dec 2016

Hello, this appears to be a relatively common problem. I have been searching google trying to find a solution but have so far been unsuccessful. The most common solution is the right click on the file, click on properties, in the general catigory, click on unblock. The problem is there is no "unblock" in the general properties of the file. In my General Properties tile it stops after File Attributes with boxes Read only, hidden, and advanced. I have checked the advanced tile and there is no mention of unblocking the program either. I have also disabled windows defender...still can't open the file. Any ideas on how to fix this?

spunk · 10 Dec 2016

The Unblock message will only show up if you have downloaded the file from the internet. This has little to do with permissions to open the file.
What is the file you are trying to open? There are many Hidden/System files or Program files on a computer that are locked because they are integral to the operating system, and Windows does not want you to monkey around with them.
Then there are files you may have recovered from a different drive under a different User Name. If they belong to you, Then you can reset the permissions by Taking Ownership of them. There are also files that can't be opened because they are corrupted. But first, we need to know what it is.

Ohoopee · 10 Dec 2016

It is an application I downloaded...not a torrent...but a piece of free writing software. The funny thing is, I had this software install before and didn't have this problem. I sent my Laptop off for repairs while it was still under warranty. When I got it back, they had replaced the hard drive so I had to reinstall everything...now it won't let me install it.

spunk · 10 Dec 2016

This would be most helpful if you told us what the program is.
Is it compatible with Windows 10? Have you seen if there is an Updated version of the program on their web site? What is the message when you click on the installer?
When they replaced the HDD, did they do a clean install of Windows 10, where they did not restore any of your User files? or did they restore files to your C:\Users\[YourUserName] folder from the old HDD?

Ohoopee · 10 Dec 2016

ywriter5

No, they did not appear to have recovered any of my files...my Windows install appears to be brand new with all the free trials I had when I originally purchased my PC being valid again

The message I get is a little box which at the top says "Windows Security" This it says "These files can't be opened" It then says "Your internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened."

Ohoopee · 10 Dec 2016

Ok...so I appear to have solved the problem and it is very, very stupid. I mean I can appreciate companies such as Microsoft wanted to protect themselves from Pirates but this is rediculous. All I did was change the name of the application...that is it just changed the name to something generic and now it works....it is supposedly an anti-piracy thing.. it must be a new update because again I never had this problem before

TairikuOkami · 10 Dec 2016

For the future reference, run CMD and copy/paste:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations" /v "DefaultFileTypeRisk" /t REG_DWORD /d "1808" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments" /v "SaveZoneInformation" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f

spunk · 10 Dec 2016

Your internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened

The Reg hack above should work, if not
Go to Control Panel/Internet Options/Custom scroll down to Launching applications and unsafe files. Choose Prompt. Do the same thing to the other icons in the Security panel.

Ohoopee · 12 Dec 2016

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.