original file is .url but on downloading is in .download extension and cannot be opened on any browser

Question

original file is .url but on downloading is in .download extension and cannot be opened on any browser

Deshmukh, Trushita (T) 20

Our company owns an application that has links to url files that can be downloaded in local machine.

Expected behaviour
Historically, when users clicked a .url file originally stored in SharePoint:

The browser downloaded the shortcut.
A browser warning sometimes appeared indicating the file could be unsafe.
Selecting Keep finalized the download.
The file was saved with a .url extension.
Windows recognized it as an Internet Shortcut and it could be opened directly.

Current Behavior

Now, when users access the same files:

The file downloads with a .download extension (for example, ExampleShortcut.download).
No "Keep" prompt is shown.
The file remains as .download.
Even if we try to open with edge or chrome, the proper page does not open up, what opens up is the internet shortcut link in text inside the .download file.

Is there any windows update that has caused this to happen? This is happening across all the user's systems across my company.

Deshmukh, Trushita (T) 20 Reputation points

2026-09-23T06:37:42.0066667+00:00

I also checked this, there is no unblock checkbox on general tab in file properties for following instruction:
If there is an “Unblock” checkbox on the “General” tab, check it and select “Apply”.
Secondly, yes, renaming the file from .download to .url does work, but that is a manual intervention, and should ideally open directly when I choose to open the file with edge or chrome. Instead of a workaround, please work on the windows update

Answer accepted by question author

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Your answer

Deshmukh, Trushita (T) 20 Reputation points

2026-09-23T06:37:42.0066667+00:00

I also checked this, there is no unblock checkbox on general tab in file properties for following instruction:
If there is an “Unblock” checkbox on the “General” tab, check it and select “Apply”.
Secondly, yes, renaming the file from .download to .url does work, but that is a manual intervention, and should ideally open directly when I choose to open the file with edge or chrome. Instead of a workaround, please work on the windows update

Answer 1

Emma1-N 13,315 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Deshmukh, Trushita (T),

Thank you for the details. Since this issue affects multiple users accessing company-managed SharePoint content, it appears to be a business/organizational environment and is outside the scope of the consumer Microsoft Q&A forum.

I recommend contacting your Microsoft 365 administrator or submitting a support request through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center so the business support team can investigate the SharePoint and browser behavior further.

Thank you for your understanding.

Deshmukh, Trushita (T) 20 Reputation points

2026-09-28T06:56:56.5133333+00:00

Okay, checking with MS-365