I got my Gmail email with attached files, but, I cannot download them into my computer. Is this a Microsoft issue?

Question

I got my Gmail email with attached files, but I cannot download them to my computer. Is this a Microsoft issue, Gmail issue, or Dell issue? The download button doesn't work.

Answer 1

Hi! Let me help you with this issue.

Have you tried a different browser, like Google Chrome?

Does it happen on all the file types or is it specific to one?

Answer 2

The issue is most likely with the browser or Windows download/security settings, not specifically with Gmail or the Dell device.

Since the tag indicates Microsoft Edge and Windows 11, use these steps to troubleshoot download failures when clicking the attachment download button in Gmail:

1. Check if Edge is blocking the download (SmartScreen/antivirus)
   • When clicking the download button, look at the Edge downloads bar/panel.
   • If it shows messages like "Couldn't download" or similar, the file may be blocked by SmartScreen or antivirus.
   • If there is an option to keep/allow the file, choose it only if the attachment is from a trusted source.
2. Check Windows Internet security settings for downloads
   If file downloads are disabled at the OS level, attachments will not download:
   1. Press Windows key, type inetcpl.cpl, press Enter to open Internet Properties.
   2. Go to the Security tab, select the Internet zone (globe icon), and click Custom level.
   3. In Security Settings:
      • Scroll to Downloads > File download and select Enable.
      • Scroll to Miscellaneous > Launching applications and unsafe files, select Prompt (recommended).
   4. Click OK, then try downloading the Gmail attachment again in Edge.
3. Check antivirus behavior
   • If messages like "Virus scan failed" or "Virus detected" appear when trying to save/open the attachment, the antivirus is blocking the file.
   • Only if the sender and file are fully trusted, temporarily disable virus scanning as described in the Attachment Manager article, download the file, then immediately re‑enable scanning.
4. Try another browser
   • Sign in to Gmail using another browser (for example, Google Chrome) and try downloading the same attachment.
   • If it works there, the problem is specific to Edge or its configuration on Windows.

If downloads fail across multiple sites (not just Gmail) in Edge with errors like "Couldn't download", follow the Edge download troubleshooting checklist referenced below to look for SmartScreen, Group Policy, network, or file system permission issues.

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References:

• Troubleshoot download failures
• Information about the Attachment Manager in Microsoft Windows