Windows 10: Cannot download files flagged as insecure in Edge

cereberus · May 29, 2021

I tried to download virtualbox in 21H1 using Edge and got message download was blocked as potentially unsafe. So I checked smartscreen settings in Windows sSecurity in case they had been turned on with update but they were off including settings for Edge. I checked in Task Manager and smartscreen was running. Killed task and tried to download again, but no dfference, and smartscreen was running again. So I tried chrome, and it downloaded fine. So it seems Edge is ignoring setting in Windows Security!!

:)

Brink · May 29, 2021

Google Protecting users from insecure downloads in Google Chrome

Today we’re announcing that Chrome will gradually ensure that secure (HTTPS) pages only download secure files. In a series of steps outlined below, we’ll start blocking "mixed content downloads" (non-HTTPS downloads started on secure pages). This move follows a plan we announced last year to start blocking all insecure subresources on secure pages.

Insecurely-downloaded files are a risk to users' security and privacy. For instance, insecurely-downloaded programs can be swapped out for malware by attackers, and eavesdroppers can read users' insecurely-downloaded bank statements. To address these risks, we plan to eventually remove support for insecure downloads in Chrome.

As a first step, we are focusing on insecure downloads started on secure pages. These cases are especially concerning because Chrome currently gives no indication to the user that their privacy and security are at risk.

Starting in Chrome 82 (to be released April 2020), Chrome will gradually start warning on, and later blocking, these mixed content downloads. File types that pose the most risk to users (e.g., executables) will be impacted first, with subsequent releases covering more file types. This gradual rollout is designed to mitigate the worst risks quickly, provide developers an opportunity to update sites, and minimize how many warnings Chrome users have to see.

We plan to roll out restrictions on mixed content downloads on desktop platforms (Windows, macOS, Chrome OS and Linux) first. Our plan for desktop platforms is as follows:

In Chrome 81 (released March 2020) and later:

Chrome will print a console message warning about all mixed content downloads.

In Chrome 82 (released April 2020):

Chrome will warn on mixed content downloads of executables (e.g. .exe).

In Chrome 83 (released June 2020):

Chrome will block mixed content executables.

Chrome will warn on mixed content archives (.zip) and disk images (.iso).

In Chrome 84 (released August 2020):

Chrome will block mixed content executables, archives and disk images.

Chrome will warn on all other mixed content downloads except image, audio, video and text formats.

In Chrome 85 (released September 2020):

Chrome will warn on mixed content downloads of images, audio, video, and text.

Chrome will block all other mixed content downloads.

In Chrome 86 (released October 2020) and beyond, Chrome will block all mixed content downloads.

Example of a potential warning

Chrome will delay the rollout for Android and iOS users by one release, starting warnings in Chrome 83. Mobile platforms have better native protection against malicious files, and this delay will give developers a head-start towards updating their sites before impacting mobile users.

Developers can prevent users from ever seeing a download warning by ensuring that downloads only use HTTPS. In the current version of Chrome Canary, or in Chrome 81 once released, developers can activate a warning on all mixed content downloads for testing by enabling the "Treat risky downloads over insecure connections as active mixed content" flag at chrome://flags/#treat-unsafe-downloads-as-active-content.

Enterprise and education customers can disable blocking on a per-site basis via the existing InsecureContentAllowedForUrls policy by adding a pattern matching the page requesting the download.

In the future, we expect to further restrict insecure downloads in Chrome. We encourage developers to fully migrate to HTTPS to avoid future restrictions and fully protect their users. Developers with questions are welcome to email us at L: [email protected].

Posted by Joe DeBlasio, Chrome Security team
Click to expand...

Source: Chromium Blog: Protecting users from insecure downloads in Google Chrome

MoxieMomma · May 29, 2021

How can I set EDGE to by default download to D:\Downloads

Hi:

I do not use Edge, but here is one suggested method (it dates from Aug 2015, but I presume the steps are still valid):

The download folder can be changed in File Explorer, the former Windows Explorer, directly.

Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the Windows Taskbar, or with the shortcut Windows-e.

Locate the Download folder on the left side, right-click on it and select properties from the context menu.

Switch to the location tab in the Downloads properties.

There you find the current location listed. If you want to set a new folder without moving existing files, simply enter the new path, e.g. d:\downloads and hit apply afterwards.

If you want all existing files to be moved, click on move instead, pick a new folder location, and select yes when the move folder prompt appears.

Microsoft Edge will use the new folder for all downloads from that moment on.

Click to expand...

How to change the default Microsoft Edge download location - gHacks Tech News

EDIT: And here is a tutorial right here in tenforums.com:
Microsoft Edge Downloads Folder - Change in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

HTH,
MM

hurricane51 · May 29, 2021

Edge Search Does Not Permit Change of Region

I got these suggestions from the Microsoft Community forum.No. 1 worked for me:

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community. I am glad to assist you on this.
We have reproduce the issue here and we are able to access non-regional search for google using Microsoft Edge.
I would suggest you to try the below steps and check if it helps.
Step 1:
Clear browsing data option of Microsoft Edge and check if you face the issue. To do so perform the steps below.

Click on the More actions icon next to the feedback icon present on top right corner of the Project Spartan homepage.

Select Settings and click on Choose what to clear.

Check the boxes Browsing history, Cookies and saved website data and Cached data and files and click on Clear.

Step 2:
I suggest you to create a new user account and check if the issue occurs.

Go to Settings.

Choose Accounts and then select Family and other users.

Select add someone else on this PC.

Enter a user name and hit next.

Click on Finish.

Sign out from the current Account and Log into the new account.

Step 3:
It could also happen because of network issue. I suggest you to try with different network connection and check if it helps.

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