en-US chrome computer user

Allow download restrictions

Verified with Google Chrome — updated on July 10, 2026

Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Google\Google Chrome

Description

Setting the policy means users can't bypass download security decisions. There are many types of download warnings within Chrome, which roughly break down into these categories (learn more about Safe Browsing verdicts https://support.google.com/chrome/?p=ib_download_blocked): * Malicious, as flagged by the Safe Browsing server * Uncommon or unwanted, as flagged by the Safe Browsing server * A dangerous file type (e.g. all SWF downloads and many EXE downloads) Setting the policy blocks different subsets of these, depending on it's value: 0: No special restrictions. Default. 1: Blocks malicious files flagged by the Safe Browsing server AND Blocks all dangerous file types. Only recommended for OUs/browsers/users that have a high tolerance for False Positives. 2: Blocks malicious files flagged by the Safe Browsing server AND Blocks uncommon or unwanted files flagged by the Safe Browsing server AND Blocks all dangerous file types. Only recommended for OUs/browsers/users that have a high tolerance for False Positives. 3: Blocks all downloads. Not recommended, except for special use cases. 4: Blocks malicious files flagged by the Safe Browsing server, does not block dangerous file types. Recommended. Note: These restrictions apply to downloads triggered from webpage content, as well as the Download link… menu option. They don't apply to the download of the currently displayed page or to saving as PDF from the printing options. Read more about Safe Browsing ( https://developers.google.com/safe-browsing ).

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Google\Chrome
HKCU Software\Policies\Google\Chrome

More options available

Options

Download restrictions
DownloadRestrictions enum
  • No special restrictions. Default. -> 0
  • Block malicious downloads and dangerous file types. -> 1
  • Block malicious downloads, uncommon or unwanted downloads and dangerous file types. -> 2
  • Block all downloads. -> 3
  • Block malicious downloads. Recommended. -> 4

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

Scope

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Allow download restrictions
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome]
"DownloadRestrictions"=dword:00000000
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow download restrictions
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DownloadRestrictions' -Value 0 -Type DWord

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

Open the Builder

Embed this policy on your site

What to embed
Theme

Adds one script line: the theme follows your site’s appearance and the height fits the content. If your site blocks scripts, the embed follows the visitor’s system theme.

Preview