Avoiding Microsoft Edge "isn't commonly downloaded" warning

Question

I have shifted software downloads for our customers to download from our domain instead of Dropbox. Now Microsoft Edge raises the "isn't commonly downloaded" warning. I had this on Chrome too but resolved it by adding our domain to Google Search Console, now there is no warning in Chrome.

I have imported our domain property from Google Search Console into Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tools, but the warning in Microsoft Edge persists.

I'm aware of EV code-signing but that is a large exercise for the dozens of bespoke applications we distribute and I need to find a large chunk of engineering capacity to work that into our build pipeline.

Meanwhile, what other steps can I take to remove this warning?

Answer 1

Hi @Dave

That's just because it's an unfamiliar downloaded .exe files. I think the only way to remove that is to request a review.

For Edge, you can try to click Report this file as safe to report the download.

Update:

The warning is flagged by Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. You can refer to the last 5 questions of this FAQ for more information. You can do the following to help minimize the chance of your program being flagged as “not commonly downloaded” by Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:

• Digitally sign your programs with an Authenticode signature
  Reputation is generated and assigned to digital certificates as well as specific files. Digital certificates allow data to be aggregated and assigned to a single certificate rather than many individual programs. Only Authenticode Certificates issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is a member of the Windows Root Certificate Program can establish reputation.
• Apply for a Windows Logo
  To learn more visit the Windows Logo Program page on MSDN.

  ---

If the answer is the right solution, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Regards,
Yu Zhou

Answer 2

After downloading the file using Edge it was scanned by McAfee web gateway. After clicking get file, Microsoft defender smart screen gave the error and prevented downloading file. The keep optionn on MS Edge was locked by organization. I tried to open the link in Chrome returned by McAfee web gateway. And it worked. I got my setup exe file.