Configure how downloaded files are handled
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
- Impact: High
System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High
This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
- Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
- 2 scripts
- No subcategories
- Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
- Fully reversible
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.
The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
Overview
These scripts configures Attachment Manager included in Windows that takes further actions for files that you receive or download such as storing classification metadata and notifying other software 1.
- Not Advised
This script should only be used by advanced users.
This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.
Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.
- Security Trade-off
This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.
Increased Privacy
Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.
Sources
- Information about the Attachment Manager in Microsoft Windows. support.microsoft.com. (2025).
Original: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/information-about-the-attachment-manager-in-microsoft-windows-c48a4dcd-8de5-2af5-ee9b-cd795ae42738
Apply Now
Choose one of two ways to apply:
Download script
Download and run the script directly- No app needed
- Offline usage
- Easy-to-apply
- Free
- Open-source
Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy (Military-Grade)
- Military-grade privacy protection
- Major system impact
- Consider having system restore point.
Read more about Maximum and other protection levels
Help
How to apply or restore "Configure how downloaded files are handled" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
Apply with privacy.sexy
Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Shows the code
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Configure how downloaded files are handled" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the category name: Configure how downloaded files are handled
- Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
- 3
Run
Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.
Explore This Guide
- 2 Privacy settings
Choose what to protect based on your needs: Click any option to learn more about what it does. Each change can be applied and reversed individually.
Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
Disable saving of zone information in downloaded files
This script disables marking file attachments by using their zone information. The default behavior is for Windows to mark file attachments with their zone information. The zone information of the origin describe whether the file was downloaded from internet, intranet, local, or restricted zone. It is used by Attachment Manager that is included in Windows to help protect the computer from unsafe attachments that can be received with e-mail message or downloaded from Internet. If the Attachment M...
Disable notifications to antivirus programs for downloaded files
This script prevents Windows from sending file attachments to antivirus programs for scanning when opened. Windows registered antivirus programs for downloaded files from Internet or through e-mail attachments. If multiple programs are registered, they will all be notified. This is disabled by default, so even if you do not configure run this script, Windows does not call the registered antivirus programs when file attachments are opened. If it is enabled, Windows blocks file from being opened w...
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Same Goal
Other guides in Privacy over securitySee settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
Reviewed By
This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:Expert review by undergroundwires
- Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
- Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
Public review by large community
- Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
History
We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.