Whenever you try to download an executable file in Google Chrome you are presented with the following confirmation prompt at the bottom of the browser: “This type of file can harm your computer. Are you sure you want to download..”. A save or discard prompt is displayed giving the user the option to either save the file to the local hard drive or discard the download. It still means that users need to move the mouse down to the prompt to select an option.
While I could not confirm it I read in user comments that even Linux users get the message.
Is there a way to get rid of the message? Yes and no. There is no switch to disable the confirmation prompt completely and retain the auto downloading functionality. There is no Chrome option or startup parameter that can be used to disable the This Type Of File Can Harm Your Computer message.
The only option that users have is to enable the option to ask where to save each file before downloading. It is not an ideal solution because it will spawn the download window on every download.
The window offers an advantage to the user. Instead of having to move the mouse to the Save or Discard prompt it is possible to complete the download by pressing enter on the keyboard, providing the right directory is displayed on screen.
There you have it. You either have the option to live with the “harm your computer” message or switch to the ask before download option to replace it with a download window.
I have not tested a third alternative: Download Managers. These programs should theoretically be able to intercept the downloads so that the files are downloaded automatic and without spawning the safety popup.
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actually better to leave the message.. it helps detecting potential virus, worms, …
For god’s sake. I’m a linux user. NONE of these files are going to harm my computer. It is NOT better to leave this message, SHUT UP. Is there like one guy who goes posting on all of these webpages saying “LEAVE IT ON YOU WILL GET VIRUSES HURRHURR” just to piss me off?
This is the single issue I have with Chrome. I’ve been using Chrome since it’s release and HATE HATE HATE this “feature”. I really wish the devs would assume that I know what I’m doing on the internet and make this an option so I can disable it.
/ end rant.
There is no way so far. When you use Download Managers, they will take care of the download. But some downloads won’t be “captured” by the DManager.
A good thing is that the file is being downloaded while you decided whether to save or discard…
It is interesting post !
FWIW there is an issue open on i think chromium.org that i’ve complained to them in. its a security issue and they are looking for ways to improve it but for some reason apparently don’t want to/cannot get rid of it-at least without compromising security. maybe if enough people join in there, they will see this actually bugs people.
As an aside, i think the file is still downloading while that msg is displayed.
Actually, the ammount of people doesn’t matter to them D:
Since the first release of Chrome, there is a issue open completely dedicated to the customization of the download shelf… No one for google ever responded.. Look at it here
http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=9845
Try to link the other issue to try to put them together or at least linked to each other
If (like me) this annoys you enough to justify building from source, here’s how to disable the warnings:
http://blog.tesser.org/2011/9/16/how-to-disable-this-file-may-harm-your-computer-warnings-in-chromium