Microsoft Edge may not let you download Mozilla Firefox

July 2024 · 2 minute read
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Edge browser uses the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen technology in order to analyze unknown files and decide if they are safe to be run on the device.

This scanner is quite effective at detecting real threats from the Internet, although is not uncommon to unintentionally flag safe programs as dangerous.

According to some users posts on Reddit, the Firefox installer has been blocked by Microsoft Edge as it could harm their device with a block message that states:

Firefox installer.exe was blocked because it could harm your device.

Microsoft Edge blocked Firefox

The only versions that seem to be blocked are the nonstable releases, such as Beta, Nighty, and Developer while the regular versions seem to work just fine and pass Microsoft’s Defender scan.

One of the workarounds on this issue was to simply temporarily disable Microsoft Defender and re-enable it once the download was successful.

We have also tested and downloaded the Firefox beta version and right now the problem seems to be solved, as Microsoft Defender did not flag the installer as dangerous.

It seems as though whatever was causing the scanner to identify Firefox as dangerous has now been solved accordingly.

Although it’s been quickly solved is not quite the only time when the company has stopped users from using a rival service.

As of right now Microsoft has not released a statement regarding the entire situation but we expect one to be released soon.

As always, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment in the dedicated section below. We would love to read your thoughts on this matter.

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