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"This program is blocked by group policy" Error When Installing Software

Tags windows

Issue

While installing a program, you receive an error dialog similar to this:
 

Cause

This error is in fact a legitimate protection Xavier has implemented against malware installation.

In response to the threat from Cryptolocker and similar malware, Xavier machines have a Software Restriction Policy enforced via Group Policy as of 11/14/2013. This policy prevents installers from unzipping files directly to the AppData folder, a common malware target.

Resolution

If you are getting this error while trying to install a legitimate program, you can use 7zip to extract the installer's individual files to a separate folder outside of AppData, then run the installer from within the extracted folder:
 
  1. Right-click on the software installer.
  2. Choose 7-Zip >> Extract to "<folder name goes here>" As an example:


     
  3. Open the extracted folder. Inside, there should be an installer (usually a .msi or .exe file) among the files listed.
  4. Run the setup or installer within the extracted folder, and the process should complete without further errors.
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Details

Article ID: 53
Created
Tue 6/2/15 3:18 PM
Modified
Fri 8/20/21 2:07 PM