This file came from another computer and might be blocked [Resolved]

The "This file came from another computer and might be blocked" error message is due to Windows' safety mechanisms that block potentially harmful or unauthorized files. It can also frequently block legitimate files you use for work or personal purposes, which can be inconvenient.

This article will guide you on how to tackle this issue and recover your data without compromising system security. Let's delve into it!

1. Repair the corrupted file from another computer with a document repair tool

When encountering the error "This file came from another computer and might be blocked," users often seek practical alternatives to regain access to the file without compromising system security. The Fixo Document Repair tool is an effective solution – a comprehensive program designed to address various document-related issues.

"ToolsFixo Document Repair can fix corrupted or damaged files, including the error 'The file came from another computer.' This powerful Microsoft repair tool is specifically designed to repair corrupted Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents."

Follow the steps in this article to repair corrupted files and fix this blocked file error.

✨Step 1. Download, install, and launch the Fixo Document Repair tool

You can download this repair tool via our download button or any other official source. After installation, double-click the Fixo icon to launch it. Click "File Repair" > "Add File" to select and fix corrupted Word, Excel, PDF, and other documents.

✨Step 2: Fix the Corrupted Document Now

After adding files, you can click “Repair” to fix a specific document, or choose “Repair All” to fix all the files in the list at once.

✨Step 3: Preview and Save the Repaired Document

Now that the document is ready, you can save it. You can also click the “eye” icon to preview the repaired document. After clicking “Save All,” look for the recovered files in the window that appears by selecting “Show Recovered.”

Moreover, we encourage readers to share the site on social media, so that others who face similar problems can benefit, and awareness of this useful option increases.

2. Resolving the "This file came from another computer and might be blocked" issue using Group Policy

The "file came from another computer" issue can be resolved by modifying the Group Policy or adding a registry entry. This involves altering the Group Policy to prevent error messages when accessing files from other machines.

Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the "Run" dialog box.

Step 2: Open the Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc and pressing Enter.

Step 3: In the left pane of Group Policy Editor, browse to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Attachment Manager.

Step 4: In the right pane, select Do not preserve zone information in file attachments, and then double-click it.

Step 5: To enable this policy, select Enabled in the Properties box.

Step 6. Click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.

Step 8: After the restart, try accessing the file from another computer to see if the problem still exists.

If the issue persists, or if you don't have Group Policy, try adding a registry entry.

3. Use the Registry Editor to unblock a file from another computer

You can use the Registry Editor to change the appropriate settings to allow downloading of files that are restricted because of security measures when downloaded from another computer. To use the Registry Editor to unlock a file from another computer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the "Run" dialog box.

2. Type "regedit" in the box and press "OK". This will open the Registry Editor.

Step 3: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

Step 4: Right-click the Policies node, and then choose New > Key.

Step 5. Right-click in the empty area on the right side of the window, and then select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 6: Rename the new key to “SaveZoneInformation” and save the changes.

Step 7. Double-click the new key, and change its value to 1.

Step 8. Exit the Registry Editor, and then restart your device.

If you found this article helpful, consider sharing it on your Twitter to help others overcome the “file is blocked” issue:

4. Delete Data Stream to Fix “The file came from another computer and might be blocked” Issue

You can resolve the "file came from another computer and might be blocked" issue by removing specific streams associated with external sources. Microsoft provides a tool called "Streams" for this purpose. To clear the streams, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install Streams from the official Microsoft website: Microsoft download page.

Step 2. In the Stream, navigate to the location of the problematic folder or file, and then click Scan.

Step 3: After the scan is complete, find “Zone.Identifier:$DATA” in the scan results, and then right-click on it.

Step 4: Select Delete selected streams.

Step 5: Save the file and restart your computer.

5. Use PowerShell to Unblock a Blocked File from Another Computer

Unblocking a file through the PowerShell is a quick and efficient way to remove barriers caused by files sent from another computer. To unblock a file using PowerShell that was sent from another machine, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the “Windows PowerShell” as an administrator. To do this, press the Windows key + X and select “PowerShell (Admin).”

Step 2. Enter the following command:

Step 3: Press Enter to run the command. This will recursively scan through the "Downloads" folder (replace "C:\Downloads" with the path to the folder you want to use) and unblock any files that are blocked.

Step 4. When you're done, exit PowerShell and restart your computer.

"FAQ: Issues with 'File came from another computer and might be blocked'

Here are the top user queries about the “This file came from another computer and might be blocked” error:

How do I unblock a file that is blocked because it was downloaded from another computer?

The easiest way to unlock a file from another computer is to right-click it, and then choose “Properties.” From there, click the “Unblock” option and apply it.

What does it mean when a file is blocked?

When a file is blocked, it means that Windows has restricted access to it for security reasons, such as a potential threat or an unknown source.

How do I unblock a file in Word?

You can unblock a file by right-clicking on it in Word, selecting “Properties,” checking the “Unblock” box, and clicking “Apply.”

Conclusions

To resolve the issue of "This file came from another computer and might be blocked," you can follow the simple yet effective solutions outlined in this tutorial. There are several approaches to fixing this problem, including using a document repair tool, modifying group policies, and executing PowerShell commands. By implementing these steps, users can prevent files from being blocked and ensure seamless access and usage. It is recommended that users consider downloading file repair software like Fixo Document Repair or explore other top-rated options from our resource on the best file repair software to enhance their file management experience.