Windows 10 can prevent you from opening files that it considers as a threat. More often than not, ‘.reg’ files. If you want to unblock a blocked file, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide we would discuss some easy methods to unblock a file on Windows 10
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Disable User Account Control
If you disable UAC, then you’ll never see the warnings of the “open file” again. And the process of doing so is quite easy as well. Of course, you’ll need administrator permissions for this.
Type “UAC” in your Windows search bar, and open User Account Control Settings with administrator permissions
Drag the bar down to never notify, hit OK
User Access Control would be disabled and you can access the locked file.
Again, we do not recommend disabling it as it might decrease your overall computer security. If you want to do it, then do it at your own risk.
Use PowerShell To Unblock a Single File
Once again, you’ll need administrator permissions to perform this.
- Type “PowerShell” in your windows search bar and launch the program with Administrative Rights.
- Copy and paste this command: unblock-file -path “Full path of blocked file”. Proceed to insert the file path of the file that you want to unblock and hit enter
Use PowerShell to Unblock All Files in a Folder
For implementing this method, it would require you to log in as the Administrator.
- Launch Windows PowerShell with admin rights from settings or by searching on windows search.
- Type the following command and press the Enter key: get-childitem “full path of folder” | unblock-file
Unblock a File From Smart Screen
- If your smart screen is blocking the file, right-click on the blocked file of your choice.
- Then, click on properties and on the bottom of the window.
- Finally, click on the tick box which says “Unblock”
Do keep in mind that you’ll need administrator permissions to do that. For that, you don’t necessarily have to be logged in to your administrator account. However, you do need to know the administrator password.
Unblock a File From “Open File”
With “open file”, every time that you open a program which needs to perform changes on your computer, it greets you with a warning. To clarify, it asks you if you want to let that program run.
All you have to do in order to prevent “open file” from coming up every single time that you want to run your programs, is untick the “Always ask before opening this file” box.
This only works for one program at a time. So, if you want to apply this to another program as well, then you’re pretty much forced to repeat the process.
Unless you’re interested in completely turning off UAC which completely disables the “open file” warnings. However, do keep in mind that this is generally not recommended.
Why Would Windows Block a File/Program?
Mostly as a security precaution. It’s no secret that the internet is full of trolls, malware, viruses, scammers, hackers, you name it.
The more that you dwell on untrustworthy websites, the more likely that it is that you’ll experience a file block at least once. Especially if the programs that you’re downloading mess with your system files in any way.
Unblock file in Open File – Security Warning box does not have the options stated above! Windows Smartscreen doesn’t open!! Checking the unblock box blocks the file completely!!!!!!!!!
Useless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
None of the above are helpful, even when all files are unblocked manually, the application will not load……