- To stop the open file security warning on Windows, open the Internet Options> Security> Local intranet> Sites, only check the check âInclude all local (intranet) sites not listed in other zonesâ and âInclude all network paths (UNCs),â click on âAdvanced,â and add the network address.
UPDATED 1/2/2024: On Windows 11 (and on Windows 10), if you have a NAS (Network Attached Storage) to share files across the network with solutions like unRAID or TrueNAS, you may encounter different Windows Security warnings when trying to open files.
For example, when trying to move files between folders, you may see the warning: âThese files might be harmful to your computer.â âYour Internet security settings suggest that one or more files may be harmful.â Or if you try to run an application, Windows Security may show you the: âWe canât verify who created this fileâ warning. Along with the âThis file is in a location outside your local network. Files from locations you donât recognize can harm your PC.â
Although you can confirm and open the files, it can be annoying getting the same messages every time you access the network share. However, you can adjust the Windows internet settings to resolve the issue if you get these or other security warnings.
In this guide, Iâll teach you how to stop the Windows Security warning as you access shared folders in the local network.
- Disable security warnings opening network files on Windows 11
- Disable security warnings opening network files on Windows 10
Disable security warnings opening network files on Windows 11
To turn off the security dialog warnings when opening files from a network share, use these steps:
-
Open Settings on Windows 11.
-
Click on Network & internet.
-
Click the âAdvanced network settingsâ page.
-
Under the âRelated settingsâ section, click on Internet Options.
-
Click the Security tab.
-
Select the Local Intranet zone.
-
Click the Sites button.
-
Clear the âAutomatically detect intranet networkâ option.
-
Check the âInclude all local (intranet) sites not listed in other zonesâ option.
-
Clear the âInclude all sites that bypass the proxy serverâ option.
-
Check the âInclude all network paths (UNCs)â option.
-
Click the Advanced button.
-
In the âAdd this website to the zoneâ option, confirm the local network address, including an asterisk to indicate the network mask. For example, if the local network is 192.168.1.1 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, use the 192.168.1.* address.
-
Click the Add button.
-
Clear the âRequire server verifications (HTTPS:) for all sites in the zoneâ option.
-
Click the Close button.
-
Click the OK button.
-
Click the Apply button.
-
Click the OK button.
Once you complete the steps, the next time you open a file or an app from a network folder, Windows 11 should no longer prompt the security warning.
Disable security warnings opening network files on Windows 10
To suppress security warnings when opening network files on Windows 10, use these steps:
-
Open Settings on Windows 10.
-
Click on Network & Internet.
-
Click on Status.
-
Under the âAdvanced network settingsâ section, click the âNetwork and Share Centerâ option.
-
Click the Internet Options from the bottom left corner.
-
Click the Security tab.
-
Select the Local Intranet zone.
-
Click the Sites button.
-
Clear the âAutomatically detect intranet networkâ option.
-
Check the âInclude all local (intranet) sites not listed in other zonesâ option.
-
Clear the âInclude all sites that bypass the proxy serverâ option.
-
Check the âInclude all network paths (UNCs)â option.
-
Click the Advanced button.
-
In the âAdd this website to the zoneâ option, confirm the local network address, including an asterisk to indicate the network mask. For example, 192.168.1.*
-
Click the Add button.
-
Clear the âRequire server verifications (HTTPS:) for all sites in the zoneâ option.
-
Click the Close button.
-
Click the OK button.
-
Click the Apply button.
-
Click the OK button.
After you complete the steps, the next time you work with a network folder, Windows 10 should no longer show the security warning.
Update January 2, 2024: These instructions have been updated to ensure accuracy and add the steps to complete this process on Windows 11.
Source: Pureinfotech