Windows blocks downloads from server "Blocked by your organization"

Question

I recently started having an issue on Windows 11 where when I try downloading a file, all of my browsers refuse to do so displaying this: (images are from Chrome)

As you can see, files that I try to download from my server are blocked no matter the extension, but one file with the same extension from colab.research.google.com works absolutely fine.

Here is the error expanded:

If that's relevant, I am downloading from my Jupyter Lab server, which has a link like: http://204.159.145.71:8888/lab/tree/ (maybe it doesn't like that it's http, or that it is an IP address, but it used to be fine).

This is really strange to me because I have all the safe browsing set to "disabled".

This really looks to me like some kind of restriction in the registry editor, but I have no idea where that may be hiding.

Any ideas on how I can fix this? Thanks.

Answer 1

This error is not all about Organizations and Policies. It may falsely come from a failed download take over by an extension. After a long time of headache I was able to solve this by disabling an extension. The culprit was the "IDM Integration Module" which connects Chrome/Edge to the "Internet Download Manager" software. You can disable this until a fix comes out.

Settings Menu > Extensions > Manage Extensions > IDM Integration Module > Disable

If you don't have IDM installed look for an extension which may want to manipulate or take over downloads.

Answer 2

Your computer is attached to organization domain. And admin deploy some group policies to deny specific downloads. You can't change/remove these limitations if you do not have admin/domain account.

What you can do is to contact support and raise a ticket about permit some downloads.

Answer 3

Up front: there is no "disabled" option for safe browsing in Chrome, are you sure you used the right setting?

Check if your PC is part of a Domain by using Powershell:

if ((gwmi win32_computersystem).partofdomain -eq $true) {write-host "DOM"} else {write-host "WG"}

If the output is DOM, you are not using a "personal" account, change your computer from Domain to workgroup.

If the output is WG then it depends on whether the file is downloaded or not:

• if it is downloaded: the next step is to right-click the file in question. Under the general tab, towards the bottom right, is there an “unblock” option? If so, and it’s checked out, uncheck it, and try again.

• if it's not downloaded:

  • Go to Google Chrome Settings
  • Select Privacy and Security
  • Select Security
  • Select the No protection (not recommended) option

Make sure you turn on the Standard protection after you’ve downloaded the blocked files.

Answer 4

As already suggested thi is because your organization has set up security policies to protect its devices and networks. These policies can block certain types of files from being downloaded, such as executable files (.exe), or files from specific websites.

A few reasons why your organization may have blocked the file:

The file is from a website that is known to be untrustworthy. The file type is blocked by your organization's security policy.

You can try the following if you are sure its safe:

• Contact your IT administrator and ask them to unblock the file for you.
• Try downloading the file from a different website.
• download the file on a differnt device and transfer via USB
• Rename the file extension to one that is not blocked by your organization's security policy.

Does your company use anything like censornet? I know mine was blocking all downloads and certain "Non productive" sites like Amazon until I sweet talked the IT Manager to white list me ;-)

Answer 5

It does not matter if you are located with your personal computer in your personal network - you are most likely logged into your work environment. Within this framework you are bound by the restrictions of this environment, for instance Citrix.

If you operate outside of this environment on your personal computer within your network, you can do what you want.

If your sandboxed environment does not give you the rights you would like to have you need to contact your IT department for additional rights.

But reading the above this is what you are obviously trying to avoid probably because you won't be granted this rights.

Answer 6

It does not matter if you are located with your personal computer in your personal network - you are most likely logged into your work environment. Within this framework you are bound by the restrictions of this environment, for instance Citrix.

If you operate outside of this environment on your personal computer within your network, you can do what you want.

If this is not possible from within your sandboxed environment you have contacted your IT department for additional rights.

But reading the above this is what you are obviously trying to avoid.