✅ Method 1: PowerShell (Fastest & Recommended)
This only affects files in the folder you choose.
Steps:
- Open the folder containing the PDFs
- Hold Shift + Right-click inside the folder
- Click Open PowerShell window here (or Open in Terminal)
- Run:
Get-ChildItem *.pdf | Unblock-File
Include subfolders:
Get-ChildItem *.pdf -Recurse | Unblock-File
✔ Safe
✔ Reversible per file
✔ No system-wide changes
✅ Method 2: Command Prompt (Alternate)
Also works, slightly more low-level.
- Open Command Prompt in the folder
- Run:
for %i in (*.pdf) do streams -d %i
🔹 Requires Sysinternals streams.exe
🔹 Less recommended unless you already use it
⚠️ Method 3: Disable Blocking for All Downloads (Not Recommended)
This stops Windows from blocking any downloaded file.
Registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments
Set:
SaveZoneInformation=1
❌ Reduces security for all file types
🛡️ What This Does (In Simple Terms)
- Windows adds a hidden Zone.Identifier to downloaded files
Unblock-Fileremoves it- Preview Pane and double-click open normally
✅ Best Practice
✔ Use PowerShell per folder
❌ Avoid global disabling unless on a controlled machine












