Format Factory "unwanted" for Windows 11?
brucine Posted messages 24377 Registration date Status Membre Last intervention -
Hello,
I just spent several hours downloading "Format Factory" for Windows 11 on a very recent and powerful computer, from different download platforms including FFSetup5.17.0.0.exe from your site (103.885 KB in a few seconds) or FFSetup5.20.0.0.exe (121.161 KB, from others). In all cases, the files downloaded correctly into my "Downloads" directory (such as C:\Users\phili\Downloads\FFSetup5.17.0.0.exe), but clicking on them gives me the message "Cannot complete the operation because the file contains or is a potentially unwanted software." I find them in the "Protection History" page of "Windows Security" with the indication "potentially unwanted application detected." I am surprised that all these downloads are potentially dangerous, but on the same day, I installed files from the same directory (Opera; Paint.net; VLC media player) without any issues. How can I install Format Factory?
A big thank you in advance for any advice. 78Phila (registered on CCM)
2 réponses
Hello,
The setup probably contains an addon to download other software during installation.
Generally, you just need to uncheck the optional offers during installation.
Check this in Windows Security to manage exclusions, or temporarily disable Defender, but be sure not to have a corrupted version.
You can compare the contents of the files by MD5 hashing with the MD5 Checksum program; if you download several from reliable sites, which have the same hash code, it's probably the right one.
https://www.commentcamarche.net/telecharger/web-internet/14523-md5-checksum/
Uncheck "Start with Windows" during installation.
You can use it from the right-click menu on a file.
Good evening, I don't know, but what is strange is that there must be a version of Format Factory in the Microsoft Store, right?
Hello,
Even if that were the case, what would it change about the "business model" of the free version?
Format Factory is indeed flagged by security software because it installs BrightData, which does not pose any particular risk but is a data collector, which is unpleasant.
There are several free alternatives that do not seem to have this problem (HandBrake, FFmpeg...).
Good evening,
Thank you very much for the quick response, but I have no way to disable options before installation, which I had read in other advice regarding this application. The installation error messages appear right at the moment I click on the exe. I also tried moving one of the three different downloaded files (the one from the main distributor pcfreetime.com) to the desktop = same "security" reaction...
It is indeed likely that there is a small addon included in the download file, but how can I be sure that it's just a small "snoop" to track the usage of the application, or if it is a real danger?
The hash comparison seems like a good idea, but I didn't understand how I can test the files with the recommended MD5 since I can't access these files without seeing the warning message as soon as I hover over them?
Have a good evening
Go to Windows Security > Browser and Application Control
There’s this in addition to the real-time protection that you need to disable (at least partially).
You can, as a bonus, create a .reg file from a .txt (Text) file that contains this:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download]
"CheckExeSignatures"="no"
"RunInvalidSignatures"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments]
"SaveZoneInformation"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations]
"LowRiskFileTypes"=".iso;.zip;.rar;.nfo;.txt;.exe;.bat;.com;.cmd;.reg;.msi;.htm;.html;.gif;.bmp;.jpg;.avi;.mpg;.mpeg;.mov;.mp3;.m3u;.wav;"
File > Save As (Type: All Files)
Name: Explorer Policies Don't Check Exe Signatures.reg (Note the .reg extension instead of .txt at the end of the file name)
To merge it into the registry, right-click > Merge.
Good evening,
After following your deactivation advice in Windows Security, I was able to install the software, but it required the installation of Bright Data. Does this pose a danger?
Thank you again for your advice.