Error Message: Your current security settings prohibit copying or moving files from this zone (284995)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
This article was previously published under Q284995
Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system.

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to copy and paste or perform a drag-and-drop operation for files in either Windows Explorer or Microsoft Internet Explorer, you may receive the following error message:
Security Alert

Your current security settings prohibit copying or moving files from this zone.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if security zone settings for the My Computer security zone are in place. However, you can still copy files from a command prompt.

RESOLUTION

Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

Note An antivirus program is designed to help protect your computer from viruses. You must not download or open files from sources that you do not trust, visit Web sites that you do not trust, or open e-mail attachments when your antivirus program is disabled.

For more information about computer viruses, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

129972 Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery

To resolve this behavior, change the security zone settings for the My Computer security zone. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type mmc, and then click OK.
  2. On the Action menu, click Add/Remove Snap-ins.
  3. Click Add, click Group Policy, click Add, click Group Policy or Local Policy, and then click Finish.
  4. Click Close, and then click OK.
  5. Expand User Configuration, and then expand Windows Settings.
  6. Under Windows Settings, expand Internet Explorer Maintenance, and then click the Security object.
  7. In the right pane of Microsoft Management Console (MMC), double-click Security Zones and Content Ratings.
  8. Under Security Zones, click to select the Import the current security zones settings check box, and then click the Modify Settings button.
  9. Under the Select a Web content zone to specify its security settings section, click My Computer, and then click Custom Level in the Security level for this zone section.
  10. In the Security Settings section, scroll down to the Downloads section and change the option from Disabled to Enabled under File download.
  11. Under the Miscellaneous section, under the Drag-and-drop or copy and paste files option, if the option is set to Disabled, change the option to Enabled.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

You can access the security zone settings through the Internet Options utility in Control Panel, but the My Computer security zone is not available through the Internet Options utility.

When a computer is a member of a Microsoft Windows 2000-based domain, and you apply the policy setting at any level above Local Policy, such as, organizational unit or domain as part of Group Policy, the organizational unit or Domain policy can override the Local Security policy and revert the settings back to the more restrictive mode. To prevent this behavior, authorized personnel can make the changes to the domain or organizational unit's Security Group policy.

For more information about security zones in Windows 2000, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

182569 Description of Internet Explorer security zones registry entries

174360 How to use security zones in Internet Explorer

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/27/2006
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbfile kbprb KB284995
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