Allow download restrictions
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 77, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge - Default Settings (users can override) User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge - Default Settings (users can override) Description
Configures the type of downloads that Microsoft Edge completely blocks, without letting users override the security decision. Set 'BlockDangerousDownloads' to allow all downloads except for those that carry Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warnings of known dangerous downloads or that have dangerous file type extensions. Set 'BlockPotentiallyDangerousDownloads' to allow all downloads except for those that carry Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warnings of potentially dangerous or unwanted downloads or that have dangerous file type extensions. Set 'BlockAllDownloads' to block all downloads. Set 'BlockMaliciousDownloads' to allow all downloads except for those that carry Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warnings of known malicious downloads. If you don't configure this policy or set the 'DefaultDownloadSecurity' option, the downloads go through the usual security restrictions based on Microsoft Defender SmartScreen analysis results. Note that these restrictions apply to downloads from web page content, as well as the 'download link...' context menu option. These restrictions don't apply to saving or downloading the currently displayed page, nor do they apply to the Save as PDF option from the printing options. See https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2094934 for more info on Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. Policy options mapping: * DefaultDownloadSecurity (0) = No special restrictions * BlockDangerousDownloads (1) = Block malicious downloads and dangerous file types * BlockPotentiallyDangerousDownloads (2) = Block potentially dangerous or unwanted downloads and dangerous file types * BlockAllDownloads (3) = Block all downloads * BlockMaliciousDownloads (4) = Block malicious downloads Use the preceding information when configuring this policy.
Registry
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended Export Builder
BETAConfigure 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. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Allow download restrictions
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 77, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended]
"DownloadRestrictions"=dword:00000000More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow download restrictions
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 77, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DownloadRestrictions' -Value 0 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow download restrictions
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 77, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended' -Name 'DownloadRestrictions' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow download restrictions
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 77, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DownloadRestrictions' -Value 0 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow download restrictions
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 77, Windows 7 or later
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow download restrictions
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 77, Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended' -Name 'DownloadRestrictions' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow download restrictions
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 77, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DownloadRestrictions' -Value 0 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.