Open File Security Warning

[vbbit]

When I compiled the exe file and upload it to website, then download it on another PC, every time I try to open that file it prompts the message that relates to security and asks if I want to open it or not.

"Open File - Security Warning - The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?"

Is there a way to compile the exe in vb6 so that it doesn't prompt this?

[dilettante]

This is the result of downloading, so nothing in your program can do anything besides signing it.

The user should download the file, run a virus scan on it. If clean then they should right-click, choose properties, then click the Unblock button there and Ok the dialog.

[vbbit]

How do I sign it? Is there anything in VB that can automatically sign it?

[dilettante]

No. You need to acquire a code signing certificate ($$) from a trusted Certificate Authority and then use code signing tools to apply it to your compiled EXE.

Microsoft's SignTool.exe is the most commonly used utility for this and despite that linked article applies to VB6 as well as .Net. It is included in Windows SDKs.

Microsoft® Windows® Software Development Kit Update for Windows Vista™ is the oldest version currently available online (XP is gone already as XP support is ending).

This involves a lot of effort and money. For casual use it is not worth the trouble. Most people are quite aware they need to unblock downloaded files before using them.