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FIX: These files can’t be opened message on Windows 10/11

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Windows Security sometimes displays aThese files can’t be openedmessage when trying to open certain documents.

It is designed to protect you from running malicious files, but it can also appear while trying to run regular files.

Some variations of the same message are the following:

As mentioned, the message appears on older Windows OS versions as well, so if you’re running on Windows 7 or newer you might expect to get it. Additionally, Internet Explorer users reported this issue as well.

So in this article, we’ll offer a few easy solutions to bypass the problem.

How do I fixThese files can’t be openedmessage?

1. Make sure that the file you’re trying to run isn’t blocked

After making these changes, you should be able to run this file without any problems.

Keep in mind that theUnblockbutton might not be always available, and if you don’t see this button, it means that the file is already unblocked.

2. Check your antivirus

According to users, if you’re gettingWindowsSecuritythese files can’t be opened themessage, the problem might be yourantivirus software.

Certainantivirustools can sometimes flag ordinary files as potentially dangerous thus causing this message to appear.

To fix this problem, users are suggesting to open yourantivirussettings and disable certainantivirusfeatures. If that doesn’t work, perhaps you’ll have to disable yourantivirusaltogether.

In some cases, you might even have to remove yourantivirus.

Several users specifically mentioned thatNorton antiviruscaused this problem to appear on theirPC, and in order to fix the problem, they had to uninstall it.

Bear in mind that almost any third-partyantiviruscan cause this issue to appear, so try removing yourantivirusand check if that helps.

If removing theantivirusfixes the problem, perhaps you should consider switching to a differentantivirussolution.

If you’re looking for a reliableantivirusthat won’t interfere with your system, you should consider usingBitdefender.

This antivirus is actually the best on the market with a lot of security features that can protect your PC, your connection, and your web identity.

The most recent tests have shown that Bitdefender returns a very littler number of false positives – which is exactly what this issue is about. So with Bitdefender, your system is protected and you can run your daily processes smoothly.

3. Change your Internet Options

After making these changes, check if the problem is still there. If the issue doesn’t appear, the problem should be resolved and everything should start working again.

4. Reset Internet Explorer settings to default

After doing that, Internet Explorer settings will reset to the default and the problem should be resolved.

A similar workaround should work for any other default browser you might be using.

5. Move the file to a different location

Sometimes, the mentioned message can appear if the path to the file you’re trying to run is too long.

So, perhaps you can fix the problem simply by moving the file to another location.

Copy the file you’re trying to run to a root directory, such as C: or D:, and try to run it from there.

If the issue doesn’t appear, it means that this was the cause of the error.

6. Rename the file

Renaming the file you’re trying to run is another simple and sometimes efficient trick.

Simply right-click the file and chooseRenamefrom the menu.

Now change the file name to setup.exe or a.exe. You can use any name you want, just make sure that it’s shorter than the original one.

Tryto run it again afterward and check if the problem is still there.

7. Create a new user account

After creating a new user account, switch to it and check if the problem is still there. If the issue doesn’t appear on the new account, you should move your personal files from your old account to the new one.

8. Try running the application as an administrator

If this method works, you’ll need to repeat it whenever you want to run this application.

However, you can make the process a bit more straightforward and force the application to always run with administrative privileges. To do that, follow these steps:

After making these changes, you’ll force the application to always run with administrative privileges and the problem should be resolved.

Even though Security warnings can be false alarms, they should not be completely ignored. Learn more about the topic from ourSecurity Hub.

We hope that you were able to fix the file opening error message easily by using one of our solutions. We’d like to hear which worked for you, so drop us a line in the comments sections below.

We provide solutions for similar issues, so make sure to check ourTroubleshooting Guides.

FIX: These files can’t be opened message on Windows 10/11#

How do I fixThese files can’t be openedmessage?#

1. Make sure that the file you’re trying to run isn’t blocked#

2. Check your antivirus#

3. Change your Internet Options#

4. Reset Internet Explorer settings to default#

5. Move the file to a different location#

6. Rename the file#

7. Create a new user account#

8. Try running the application as an administrator#