Although a somewhat drastic method of protecting your computer, Microsoft makes information technology possible to disable all downloads in Internet Explorer.

In that location are several situations when disabling downloads in IE provides a temporary or permanent ready to guard your PC confronting viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and other malware. Read on to learn why and how to finish users of your reckoner from downloading files.

Why Disable Downloads?

Some downloaded files deport with them more than of a threat to your calculator's security than others. Executable files with an *.exe file extension are particularly dangerous because those files, as their name implies, take executable code. Unless you are absolutely sure that a downloaded executable file is from a trustworthy source, you should never click on this type of file.

Enquire any experienced reckoner administrator and he/she will tell you that the threat from viruses and other malware goes upwards exponentially equally more people have access to and utilize a PC. Even in a abode environs, impatient kids or inexperienced users are more likely to click away on annihilation that looks enticing. Disabling the ability to download files is one thing you can practise to protect your computer from these users' actions.

Finally, if you lot accept a guest account on your computer that anyone tin utilize, you lot need a method of protecting your PC from malicious downloads. The safest alternative is to disallow any downloads at all. Afterward all, if a person doesn't have his/her own business relationship on a reckoner and must use the guest account, you have a strong incentive to protect yourself against the actions of this coincidental user.

Obviously, the biggest loophole in this method is that someone could just download Chrome or Firefox and download all they want, correct? Aye, then technically, yous have to setup your computer in a way and so that it can either just run IE or will block Firefox and other browsers from running. You can read my previous post on setting up kiosk fashion for an account in Windows 10, which is the first method.

To prevent other applications from running, you would demand to configure something like AppLocker. This won't work if you accept the Home version of Windows though. It'due south a bit complicated to setup, and then kiosk mode might exist a better option if you're simply trying to prevent your kids from messing up your computer.

How to Cake Downloads in IE

Luckily, disabling downloads in IE is just a few clicks away. Begin past opening upwards IE and clicking on Tools on the menu bar. And so click on Internet Options to open the Internet Options window.

IE8 Internet Options

On the Net Options window, click on the Security tab and then click on the Custom Level button located in the Security Level for this Zone section.

Custom Level Button on Security Tab

You should now be looking at the Security Settings – Net Zone window. In the Settings box, roll downwards to the Downloads section and locate an option titled File Download. Modify this pick from Enabled to Disabled. Click the OK button.

Disable File Downloads in Internet Explorer 8

IE at present asks if you desire to change the settings for this zone. Click OK.

IE8 Change Settings for This Zone

In club for this change to take effect, you must restart IE. Shut IE and reopen information technology.

If you lot desire to test the setting, become to any reputable site and try to download a file. Every bit an example, y'all could go to www.adobe.com and endeavor to download Adobe Reader. Notice that when you click to download the file, IE gives y'all a security alert and informs you that your security settings practice non allow this file to be downloaded.

IE8 Security Settings Do Not Allow Download

For the ultimate protection from malicious downloads, consider disabling downloads in IE altogether. Although a drastic approach to computer security, this may be your most powerful weapon against malware when many people employ your computer or if you have a guest account on your PC.

Disable Downloads in Group Policy

If you are running the Pro or higher version of Windows, you lot can too prepare this option in Group Policy. To practice this, click on Kickoff and then type in grouping policy.

This will open up the local grouping policy editor. Now navigate to the following department:

Calculator Configuration - Administrative Templates - Windows Components - Internet Explorer - Internet Control Panel - Security Page - Net Zone

In one case y'all are there, you should see an option on the right-mitt side called Allow file downloads.

Double-click on that particular and make sure to select the Disabled radio button.

Again, you'll need to do some boosted piece of work to actually forbid tech-savvy users from figuring out other ways to bypass this restriction. It'south always a practiced thought to disable access to the command prompt likewise as files can be downloaded that way hands. Relish!