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Download manager gets blocked by group policy

Jeroenblack
Jeroenblack
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I set a group policy in Windows 8 professional to block executing any executable files outside those in the Windows and Program Files maps. PDF files and microsoft office files can be opened anywhere.

When downloading a docx or xlsx file through Firefox and trying to open it in the download manager gives a error message from windows stating that the program is blocked by group policy. The path and file is a Word or Office file. When going to the map where it was downloaded (a temp folder or another doesnt matter) in Windows explorer the file opens without any problem.

I ve been searching for a solution everywhere for hours but I couldnt find it.

By the way PDF files are opened without problems. After installing the ESR version of Firefox opening docx files through the download manager of Firefox gave no problems but now the same problem came back.

I set a group policy in Windows 8 professional to block executing any executable files outside those in the Windows and Program Files maps. PDF files and microsoft office files can be opened anywhere. When downloading a docx or xlsx file through Firefox and trying to open it in the download manager gives a error message from windows stating that the program is blocked by group policy. The path and file is a Word or Office file. When going to the map where it was downloaded (a temp folder or another doesnt matter) in Windows explorer the file opens without any problem. I ve been searching for a solution everywhere for hours but I couldnt find it. By the way PDF files are opened without problems. After installing the ESR version of Firefox opening docx files through the download manager of Firefox gave no problems but now the same problem came back.

All Replies (7)

Amit Kumar Thakur
Amit Kumar Thakur
  • Locale Leader
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Hello please Update Firefox to the latest version and try again.

Jeroenblack
Jeroenblack صاحب السؤال
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I first used the most recent version for consumers. It had the same problem. Now the special ESR edition for big organizations is installed.

Amit Kumar Thakur
Amit Kumar Thakur
  • Locale Leader
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use safe mode: Troubleshoot Firefox issues using Safe Mode

Jeroenblack
Jeroenblack صاحب السؤال
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Unfortunately it didn't help. I didn't install any addons except Flash Player.

Amit Kumar Thakur
Amit Kumar Thakur
  • Locale Leader
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Hi Jeroenblack, Is this working on other web browsers?

Jeroenblack
Jeroenblack صاحب السؤال
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I just tested it with Chrome. It has the same problem. Maybe it is because I installed the programs as administrator. I can not test it further for a few hours because the computer is being used. I'm afraid the problem comes back when I enfore the group policy again. On Windows 7 professional I didn't have this problem.

Amit Kumar Thakur
Amit Kumar Thakur
  • Locale Leader
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Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.

You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.


Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.

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