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Disable saving of zone information in downloaded files

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

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 1. The zone information of the origin describe whether the file was downloaded from internet, intranet, local, or restricted zone 1.

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 2. If the Attachment Manager identifies an attachment that might be unsafe, it prevents you from opening the file, or it warns you before you open the file 2.

Preventing this information to be saved:

  • Increases privacy by no longer leaking information of source.
  • Decreases security by preventing Windows to determine risks and take risk-based actions 1. By not preserving the zone information, Windows cannot make proper risk assessments 3. Disabling it has Significant criticality as the configuration introduces additional attack surface according to US government 4.

The Attachment Manager feature warns users when opening or executing files which are marked as being from an untrusted source, unless/until the file's zone information has been removed via the "Unblock" button on the file's properties or via a separate tool such as Microsoft Sysinternals Streams 4.

It is configured using SaveZoneInformation value in \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments\ registry subkey 1 2 3 4.

The value is this setting is confusing, according to Microsoft documentation 1 turns it on 2 3, 2 turns it off 2 3. However, according to STIG V-63841, 1 disables saving zone information and 2 enables it 3. According to my tests, the STIG interprets it right and 1 disables this function off.

In clean Windows 10 and 11 installations, this key by default is missing for both HKCU and HKLM.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Configure how downloaded files are handled category. 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. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable saving of zone information in downloaded files.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments!SaveZoneInformation"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments' /v 'SaveZoneInformation' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments!SaveZoneInformation"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments' /v 'SaveZoneInformation' /f 2>$null"

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