[Fix] Chrome Asking for Password to Scan Downloaded Archives
Google Chrome users might have noticed that whenever they download an encrypted archive file i.e. password-protected ZIP, RAR file, Chrome automatically starts scanning the archive and asks for the file password. If you don’t like this new behavior and want to disable or remove the password prompt and download scanning feature in Chrome, this article will help you.
Google Chrome Now Deep Scans Downloaded Archives and Prompts for Password
Many Chrome users might have faced this issue! Whenever a user downloads a password protected archive such as ZIP, RAR, 7z or any other file format using Chrome web browser, it automatically starts scanning the archive file for malware and prompts the user to enter the archive password. Many Chrome users might not want to provide the password for security or privacy purposes.
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Actually it’s a new security feature introduced in Chrome 118 version. The feature is called “Safe Browsing Deep Scanning“. Initially Chrome team added this feature to Enhanced Safe Browsing users only in Chrome 118, 119 and 120 versions.
With the release of Chrome 121 version, the security feature has been enabled for standard safe browsing users as well. Here is the official description of this new security feature from Google Chrome team:
Chrome 118-120 versions:
Google Chrome offers deep scanning of some suspicious downloads to users who have opted in to Enhanced Safe Browsing. This sends the file content to Safe Browsing for a real-time evaluation of the file’s safety. Starting in Chrome 118, deep scans of encrypted archives, for example, ZIP and RAR files, prompt the user to provide the archive password along with the file content. This is necessary for Safe Browsing to provide a useful verdict about the contents of the archive.
Chrome 121 and later versions:
On some encrypted archive downloads, Chrome prompts Standard Safe Browsing users for a password (not shared with Google and cleared after retrieving the metadata). This collects more metadata about the download (such as contained file hashes and executable signatures), which is sent to Google for better quality verdicts. The password remains local and not shared with Google.
So starting from Chrome 121 version, all users will receive password prompt from Chrome to scan the downloaded encrypted archive file.
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How to Disable Deep Scanning of Downloaded Encrypted Archives in Google Chrome
If you find the new security feature annoying and you want to disable or remove the new deep scanning of encrypted archives in Chrome, here is a good news for you. Chrome team has officially provided a Chrome policy which can be used to completely get rid of the new security feature from Chrome.
Once you apply this policy in your device, it’ll permanently deactivate deep scanning feature and will prevent or restrict Chrome from asking the user to enter archive password. Chrome will no longer collect or send the download data anywhere.
Following steps will help you in disabling deep scanning of encrypted archives in Google Chrome web browser:
STEP 1: Press WIN+R key combination to launch RUN dialog box then type regedit and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.
STEP 2: Now go to any of following keys:
If you want to disable the new security feature for all Windows users:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies
If you want to disable the new security feature for current user only:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies
STEP 3: Under Policies key, create a new key and set its name to Google
STEP 4: Again under Google key, create a new key and set its name to Chrome
So the final key path will be one of following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
STEP 5: Now select Chrome key and in right-side pane, right-click and select “New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value” option. Set the new DWORD name as SafeBrowsingDeepScanningEnabled
STEP 6: To disable and remove the new deep scanning feature, leave the new DWORD value to 0
Now restart Chrome browser and the new safe browsing deep scanning feature will be turned off in your web browser.
PS: In future, if you decide to restore the default setting in Chrome, delete the above mentioned DWORD from Registry.
Also Check:
How to Enable or Disable Insecure Download Warning in Chrome
Disable URL Collection and Permission Suggestions in Chrome
[Tip] Disable Shopping Deals and Price Tracking Features in Chrome
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