T.asm file and web.vortex: Here’s why browsers download them

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Oftentimes, when users connect to Microsoft Answers, afilecalledt.asmbegins to automaticallydownload. Since no details are available about thisfile, many users panic when they see it on their desktop fearing they justdownloadeda virus.

The t.asmfileis usuallydownloadedon devices running iOS as well as onWindows 7and Windows 10 computers. Thefileprimarily getsdownloadedwhen users connect toMicrosoft’s Answers websiteand when they try to create a new Microsoft account.

What is the t.asmfilethatdownloadsevery time I log into thissite?The .asm extension suggests an assembly languagefile. That leaves me a little uneasy.So, what is thisfileand why does itdownloadevery time I sign into a Microsoft community?

What is a t.asm file? What is web.vortex?

Thedownloadof the t.asmfileis actually triggered by an incompatibility issue between Microsoft’swebsiteand thebrowsersinstalled on certain computers.

Technically, Microsoft Answers doesn’t support Safari and this explains why thefileisdownloadedto iOS. However, we still don’t know why Windows 7 and Windows 10 browsersdownloadit as well. All in all, thefileitself is not harmful and can simply be deleted.

Some users complain that thefileprevents them from accessing Microsoft’s forums:

It’s only on iOS devices where access to thesiteis blocked, for me at least. On a Mac, thedownloadsjust go harmlessly into a folder. But on an iPhone or iPad, they stay on the screen and cannot be removed.

If the t.asmfileprevents you from accessing Microsoft Answers, you can use this workaround: Don’t log into thesite. As long as you don’t try to log in, you should be able to connect to thewebsite.

According touser reports, the t.asmfileis also accompanied by the web.vortex extension in the History/Cache listings. It appears that the web.vortex.microsoft.com is what serves thewebsiteand the t.asm is part of the sign in routine.

If you’ve got additional information about the t.asmfile, use the comment section below to tell us more about it.

UR: A browser that won’t download anything on its own

There is a swarm ofmalicious filesout there and, even though t.asm and web.vortex aren’t malicious, it’s discouraging to see yourbrowserdownloadingfileson its own.

It’s a risk not many are welcoming. That’s whyUR Browseris perfect: it preventsfilesfrom automaticallydownloading, even when they come from trusted sources.

In case somewebsitewants todownloadfiles, you’ll be immediately prompted. You canblockit or even permanently prevent the saidwebsitefrom repeating that action.

In case you, accidentally,downloadsomething you’re unsure about, the built-in antivirus will scan it and tell you whether it’s safe or not to keep thatfile.

UR Browseris freebrowsermade by a small but dedicated team of enthusiasts focused on privacy. It’s built on the Chromium project, so it might look like Chrome but it’ll certainly exceed your expectations. Check it out now.Editor’s recommendationUR BrowserFast page loadingVPN-level privacyEnhanced securityBuilt-in virus scannerDownload now UR Browser

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T.asm file and web.vortex: Here’s why browsers download them#

What is a t.asm file? What is web.vortex?#

UR: A browser that won’t download anything on its own#

T.asm file and web.vortex: Here’s why browsers download them

What is a t.asm file? What is web.vortex?

UR: A browser that won’t download anything on its own