cant download zip files

Zip downloads that run for several minutes and then cancel are typically being blocked by security software, Edge/Windows policies, or interrupted by the network.

Try these steps in order, testing the download after each:

1. Check the exact error in Edge

• When the download fails, open the Downloads panel in Edge and note the message (for example, "Couldn't download - Network error" or "Blocked").
• Different messages point to different causes:
  • "Blocked" → security/SmartScreen/Group Policy.
  • "Network error" → connectivity or timeout.

2. Verify download folder and disk space

• In Edge, go to edge://settings/downloads.
• Confirm the Location folder exists and is accessible.
• In File Explorer, open that folder and make sure a test file can be created.
• Check that the drive has free space.

3. Check SmartScreen and Windows Security

• When a download is blocked, in the downloads panel select More actions (...) → Keep → Show more → Keep anyway if the file and source are trusted.
• To review SmartScreen:
  • Go to edge://settings/privacy → under Security, confirm Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is on.
• Check Windows Security:
  • Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Protection history and look for blocked items related to the Patreon ZIP.

4. Check antivirus or security suite

• Open the antivirus program and check its quarantine/activity log for the ZIP.
• Temporarily turn off real‑time protection and retry the download.
• If the download then succeeds, add exceptions for:
  • The Patreon download URL/domain.
  • The download folder path.
  • ZIP file type, if the antivirus blocks by extension.
• Re‑enable real‑time protection immediately after testing.

5. Test in InPrivate or a new Edge profile

• Open an InPrivate window (Ctrl+Shift+N) and try the same ZIP.
• If it works, an extension or profile corruption is likely:
  • Go to edge://extensions and turn off extensions one by one, retrying the download.
• Alternatively, add a new profile (profile icon → Add profile) and test there.

6. Check Group Policy download restrictions (if on a managed device)

• In Edge, go to edge://policy.
• Look for:
  • DownloadRestrictions – if set to 3, all downloads are blocked; contact the administrator.
  • DownloadDirectory – ensure it points to a valid, accessible path.
  • ExemptFileTypeDownloadWarnings – ZIP may need to be exempted if your org blocks it.

7. Test network and file source

• Try downloading a different ZIP from another site to see if the issue is Patreon‑specific.
• Try another network (for example, mobile hotspot) to rule out ISP or router filtering.
• For large ZIPs, use a more stable/wired connection if possible.

If nothing downloads from any site and antivirus logs show blocks, the pattern in similar cases has been that antivirus updates or settings caused all downloads to fail; adjusting or updating that antivirus resolved the issue.

References:

• Troubleshoot download failures
• Information about the Attachment Manager in Microsoft Windows
• Having internet, but not being able to download anything - Microsoft Q&A
• Attachments not downloading - Microsoft Q&A
• Downloads fail intermittently in Microsoft Edge due to corporate proxy reauthentication and TLS session reuse failure - Microsoft Q&A