how to resolve virus scan failed problem when downloading in Chrome

The “Virus scan failed” error usually stems from the Windows Attachment Manager or your antivirus software blocking the file hand-off, rather than a problem with Chrome itself.

Here is a step-by-step guide to resolving this, ordered from the most effective solution to general troubleshooting.

Method 1: The Registry Fix (Most Effective)

This error is most often caused by a specific registry key that tells Windows how to handle file attachment scanning. If this key is corrupted or set incorrectly, the scan fails before it starts.

• Warning: Be careful when editing the registry. Follow these steps exactly.

1. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter. Click Yes if prompted.
3. Navigate to the following path (you can copy and paste this into the address bar at the top):HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments
4. If the “Attachments” folder doesn’t exist:
   • Right-click on the Policies folder, select New > Key, and name it Attachments.
5. Look for a value named ScanWithAntivirus on the right side.
   • If it exists: Double-click it and change the Value data to 1.
   • If it doesn’t exist: Right-click in the empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it ScanWithAntivirus, and set the Value data to 1.6(Note: A value of 3 is “On”, and a value of 1 tells Windows to bypass the scan check.)
6. Restart your computer and try downloading again.

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Method 2: Check Antivirus Interference

Your antivirus (McAfee, Norton, Windows Defender, etc.) may be locking the file or “hanging” during the scan process.

• If you use Windows Defender:
  1. Open Start and type “Windows Security”.
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.
  3. Temporarily toggle Real-time protection to Off.
  4. Try the download. Remember to turn it back on immediately after!
• If you use McAfee, Norton, or others:
  • Open your antivirus dashboard and look for “Real-time Scanning” or “Shields.”
  • Disable it temporarily (e.g., for 15 minutes) and try the download.
  • Note: If you previously uninstalled McAfee but still get this error, you likely have leftover registry files. Search for and run the official McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool (MCPR) to clean your system.

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Method 3: Reset Chrome Security Settings

If the above do not work, Chrome’s internal Safe Browsing feature might be conflicting with your OS settings.

1. Open Chrome and click the three dots (top right) > Settings.
2. Select Privacy and security > Security.
3. Under “Safe Browsing,” temporarily select No protection (not recommended).
4. Attempt the download.
5. Crucial: Switch back to Standard protection immediately after the download finishes to remain secure.

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Summary of Fixes

Method	Success Rate	Best Used When…
Registry Fix	High	The error happens on every download, regardless of file type.
Disable Antivirus	Medium	The error happens only with specific files (like .exe or .zip).
Chrome Safe Browsing	Low	You suspect the issue is specific to the browser, not Windows.