This "file came from another computer and might be blocked" is a common issue not only in Windows 10 but also in older Windows. It can be caused by file corruption. So, Windows' security mechanisms block dangerous or unauthorized files for safety purposes. However, this problem may also block uncorrupted and usable files needed for personal or business usage. It can be a very inconvenient issue.
This guide will uncover secure ways to fix it and restore your data. Let's start!
In this article
- Way 1. Change Group Policy to Fix the "Might Be Blocked" Problem
- Way 2. Unblock Files Using the Windows PowerShell
- Way 3. Use Registry Editor to Resolve the "File Might be Blocked" Issue
- Way 4. Delete Data Streams to Fix "The File Came From Another Computer" Issue
- Way 5. Zip and Unzip Files to Resolve the "Might Be Blocked" Issue
Part 1. The Most Effective Way to Fix “File Came From Another Computer and Might Be Blocked Error”
The "this file came from another computer and might be blocked" message can pop up unexpectedly at any moment. When that happens, users seek practical ways to recover their files. That is, without jeopardizing system security. Repairit Video Repair is one ideal solution to this problem. It's a comprehensive software developed to deal with various file corruption issues.
Repairit offers an effective solution to repair corrupt video files in all formats. These include MP4, MOV, MKV, and FLV. It can handle multiple formats simultaneously, which saves users a lot of time!
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Repair damaged videos with all levels of corruption, such as video not playing, video no sound, out-of-sync video or audio, playback errors, header corruption, flickering video, missing video codec, etc.
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Repair full HD, 4K, and 8K videos and support 18 popular formats, including MOV, MP4, M2TS, INSV, M4V, WMV, MPEG, ASF, etc.
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Repair damaged or corrupted videos caused by video compression, system crash, video format change, etc.
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Repair critically damaged or corrupted videos available on SD cards, mobile phones, cameras, USB flash drives, etc.
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Repairit has a quick and advanced scanning mode. You can use either depending on the level of corruption the video file has undergone.
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No limit to the number and size of the repairable videos.
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Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.12~macOS 15.
Read the steps below to repair corrupted files and fix "the file came from another computer and might be blocked":
Step 1: Open the software and go to Video Repair > +Add to add your damaged files.
Step 2: Hit Repair to kick off the video restoration process.
Step 3: Once the process is completed, you'll see a window asking you to preview and save the repaired videos. Click Preview to preview the repaired videos.
Then, hit the Save All button to save your repaired videos to your desired location on the computer.
Fix “File Came From Another Computer and Might Be Blocked” Error
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Part 2. Other 5 Ways to Fix File Came From Another Computer and Might Be Blocked
Besides Repairit Video Repair, you can also fix the problem in question in other ways. These include changing group policy, using Windows PowerShell, and Registry Editor. You can also delete data streams or zip and unzip the files with a tool like WinRAR.
Discover which of these methods more effectively fixes the "this file came from another computer and might be blocked" error:
Way 1. Change Group Policy to Fix the "Might Be Blocked" Problem
This method involves altering the Group Policy. Changing the settings lets users avoid errors when opening files from another PC. Here's how to go about it:
Step 1. Tap Windows + R on your keyboard to summon the Run box.
Step 2. Type gpedit.msc, then hit Enter to launch the Group Policy Editor.
Step 3. Navigate through the left panel to User Configuration > Administrative Templates.
Step 4: Select Windows Components, then click Attachment Manager.
Step 5. Double-click the setting that blocks zone info from sticking to file attachments.
Step 6. Select Enabled in the properties box to turn on the policy. Click OK to save the changes.
Restart your computer, then try accessing the files to see if the issue has been resolved. If the problem persists, try the following methods.
Way 2. Unblock Files Using the Windows PowerShell
The Windows PowerShell removes the blockage created by files from another PC. Apply these steps to unblock your files:
Step 1. Search for "Windows PowerShell" on your computer. Right-click it and choose Run as administrator to proceed.
Step 2. Type the following command: dir C:\Downloads -Recurse | Unblock-File.
Step 3. Press Enter to run this command. The program will scan the Downloads folder and unblock any blocked files.
Step 4: Exit PowerShell and restart your computer once the process is completed.
Way 3. Use Registry Editor to Resolve the "File Might be Blocked" Issue
You can also use the Registry Editor to modify the appropriate settings and unblock your files. Apply these steps to gain access to the files with the help of the Registry Editor:
Step 1. Press Windows + R to pop the Run dialog box.
Step 2. Type regedit in the body, then click OK. That will open the Registry Editor.
Step 3. Follow the path, as shown in the Editor's windows.
Step 4. Right-click Policies, select New, and then Key.
Step 5. Right-click on a space on the window, select New, then DWORD (32-bit) value.
Step 6. Rename the new key "SaveZoneInformation," then save it.
Step 7. Double-click your newly created key, then change the value to one.
Step 8. Close the Registry Editor and reboot your system.
Way 4. Delete Data Streams to Fix "The File Came From Another Computer" Issue
You can delete specific data streams associated with external sources to fix the "File came from another computer and might be blocked" error. Microsoft provides a tool called Streams for this purpose.
Here's how to clear data streams and fix the "might be blocked" issue:
Step 1. Download and install the Streams software from Microsoft's official site.
Step 2. In the Streams, browse the problematic folder and click Scan.
Step 3. The software will take a while to scan your folder. After the process, find Zone.Identifier:$DATA in the scanned results.
Step 4. Right-click it and choose Delete Selected Streams.
Step 5. Close the window and reboot your computer.
Way 5. Zip and Unzip Files to Resolve the "Might Be Blocked" Issue
Another workaround you can apply to access your blocked files is to zip and unzip the files. Some users discovered that zipping and unzipping the files through WinRAR works. However, you can use any other Extraction software. Here's what you should do:
Step 1: In WinRAR (or similar software), right-click on your file and choose Add to Archive.
Step 2: Select the Zip option, then click OK.
Step 3: Open the generated zip file and click Export.
Step 4: Try opening the file now, then check if the problem is resolved.
Conclusion
To fix the "This file came from another computer and might be blocked" issue, apply the simple but effective solutions suggested in this guide. Most users find Repairit Video Repair the most effective solution.
In addition to Repairit, you can fix the issue by changing the Group Policy. You can also use Windows PowerShell, Registry Editor, or any other methods discussed. Hopefully, one will work for you. So, try them and see which one works best!
FAQ
What does "file might be blocked" mean?
The "file might be blocked" means that Windows has limited access to the file for security reasons. These security reasons could include unknown sources or possible threats.How can I allow another computer to access my files or folder?
Long-press (or right-click) a file or folder, then choose Show More Options. Select "Give access to," then click the “Specific people” option. Choose a user on your network to share the file or folder with. You can also select Everyone to give access to all users on the network.