Disable notifications to antivirus programs for downloaded files
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- 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.
- 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
This script prevents Windows from sending file attachments to antivirus programs for scanning when opened 1 2.
Windows registered antivirus programs for downloaded files from Internet or through e-mail attachments 1. If multiple programs are registered, they will all be notified 1 3. 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 1.
If it is enabled, Windows blocks file from being opened when antivirus program fails 1. It is the recommended setting by Microsoft 1.
Preventing calling antivirus:
- Increases privacy by not sharing your file data proactively with installed antiviruses.
- Decreases by detecting and mitigating potential malicious software. Disabling it has Moderate criticality as it is not an appropriate antivirus configuration according to US government 4.
An updated antivirus program must be installed for this policy setting to function properly 4.
It is configured using ScanWithAntiVirus
value in
\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments\
registry subkey 1 2 3 4 5.
3
enables the scans 1 2 3, 1
disables it 1 3, and 2
leaves it optional 1.
In clean Windows 10 and 11 installations, this key by default comes with 3
value in
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments\ScanWithAntiVirus
5,
and key is missing for HKCU
.
- 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 - The system will notify antivirus when file attachments are opened.. stigviewer.com. (2025).
Original: https://www.stigviewer.com/stig/windows_server_2008_r2_member_server/2015-09-02/finding/V-14270 - Notify antivirus programs when opening attachments. admx.help. (2025).
Original: https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_10_2016&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.AttachmentManager::AM_CallIOfficeAntiVirus - Windows 11 SafeGuards. irs.gov. (2023).
Original: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/safeguards-scsem-win-11-v1-1-033122.xlsx
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230102223412/https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/safeguards-scsem-win-11-v1-1-033122.xlsx - nickel-x64/WinSxS/Manifests/amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.22621.1_none_273bee824a8ac431.manifest at b3f8c9549e49f2a92b401b3809b210d5f78190ba · privacysexy-forks/nickel-x64. github.com. (2024).
Original: https://github.com/privacysexy-forks/nickel-x64/blob/b3f8c9549e49f2a92b401b3809b210d5f78190ba/WinSxS/Manifests/amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.22621.1_none_273bee824a8ac431.manifest
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240829205326/https://github.com/privacysexy-forks/nickel-x64/blob/b3f8c9549e49f2a92b401b3809b210d5f78190ba/WinSxS/Manifests/amd64_windows-defender-service_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.22621.1_none_273bee824a8ac431.manifest
Apply Now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
Download script
Download and run the script directly- No app needed
- Offline usage
- Easy-to-apply
- Free
- Open-source
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable notifications to antivirus programs for downloaded files" 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
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable notifications to antivirus programs for downloaded files" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable notifications to antivirus programs for downloaded files
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 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.
- Apply
- Revert
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments!ScanWithAntiVirus"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments' /v 'ScanWithAntiVirus' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Ijo6IFNldCB0aGUgcmVnaXN0cnkgdmFsdWUgXCJIS0xNXFxTT0ZUV0FSRVxcTWljcm9zb2Z0XFxXaW5kb3dzXFxDdXJyZW50VmVyc2lvblxcUG9saWNpZXNcXEF0dGFjaG1lbnRzIVNjYW5XaXRoQW50aVZpcnVzXCJcblBvd2VyU2hlbGwgLUV4ZWN1dGlvblBvbGljeSBVbnJlc3RyaWN0ZWQgLUNvbW1hbmQgXCIkcmV2ZXJ0RGF0YSA9ICczJzsgcmVnIGFkZCAnSEtMTVxcU09GVFdBUkVcXE1pY3Jvc29mdFxcV2luZG93c1xcQ3VycmVudFZlcnNpb25cXFBvbGljaWVzXFxBdHRhY2htZW50cycgL3YgJ1NjYW5XaXRoQW50aVZpcnVzJyAvdCAnUkVHX0RXT1JEJyAvZCBcIl5cIlwiJHJldmVydERhdGFcIl5cIlwiIC9mXCIi
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable notifications to antivirus programs for downloaded files" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
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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.