How to Allow or Block Automatic File Downloads for Apps in Windows 10


When you use an online storage provider such as OneDrive to store online-only files, some Windows apps might download these files automatically. For example, a music player app such as Windows Media Player might download your online-only music files to play them.

When an app downloads online-only files, you'll get a notification from Automatic file downloads that shows where it's downloading them from and how many it's downloading, as well as the download progress.

When you get these notifications, do one of the following:
  • Do nothing, or dismiss the notification - If the download is expected and all's well, let the notification go away on its own after the download completes. Or, select the arrow Allow or Block Automatic File Downloads for Apps in Windows 10-arrow.png in the upper right of the notification to move it to action center.
  • Cancel the download - To put the brakes on a download that's already started.
  • Block the app - To cancel the download and block the app from downloading online-only files again in the future.

This tutorial will show you how to allow or block apps from requesting automatic file downloads for your account in Windows 10.

Blocking apps could make them unstable. If you trust an app and open online-only files with it frequently, don't block it.

If you block any apps from downloading online-only files and you change your mind later, you can unblock (allow) them.

If you do not want notifications for automatic file downloads, then you can turn off Automatic file downloads under Get notifications from these senders on the Notifications & actions page in Settings.


 CONTENTS:

  • Option One: To Block Automatic File Downloads for an App
  • Option Two: To Allow Automatic File Downloads for All Blocked Apps
  • Option Three: Block or Unblock Automatic File Downloads for Specific Apps in Registry Editor





OPTION ONE

To Block Automatic File Downloads for an App


1. When an app downloads online-only files, you'll get a notification. Click/tap on the Cancel download button. (see screenshot below)

Allow or Block Automatic File Downloads for Apps in Windows 10-automatic_file_downloads_notification-1.png

2. Click/tap on the Block app button. (see screenshot below)

Allow or Block Automatic File Downloads for Apps in Windows 10-automatic_file_downloads_notification-2.png






OPTION TWO

To Allow Automatic File Downloads for All Blocked Apps


1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Privacy icon.

2. Click/tap on Automatic file downloads on the left side, and click/tap on the Allow button on the right side. (see screenshots below)

If the Allow button is grayed out, then it means you have not blocked any apps from requesting automatic file downloads.

Allow or Block Automatic File Downloads for Apps in Windows 10-automatic_file_downloads_in_settings-2.jpg Allow or Block Automatic File Downloads for Apps in Windows 10-automatic_file_downloads_in_settings-1.png






OPTION THREE

Block or Unblock Automatic File Downloads for Specific Apps in Registry Editor


1. Press the Win+R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the registry key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\CloudFiles\BlockedApps

3. Under the BlockedApps key in the left pane, each blocked app will have a subkey created which stores the App Name, Path, and Package Name (Microsoft Store app).

4. In the right pane of the blocked app's subkey, double click/tap on the Enabled DWORD to modify it.

5. Change the value of the Enabled DWORD to 0, and click/tap on OK.

A value of 1 is for being blocked.

6. When finished, you can close Registry Editor.

Allow or Block Automatic File Downloads for Apps in Windows 10-onedrive-demand-registry.png


That's it,
Shawn