Free Download Manager is a popular tool used to conveniently download files from the internet. However, it may sometimes open automatically even when you don’t intend to, which can be frustrating and disruptive. This behavior can occur due to various reasons, such as incorrect configurations or browser extensions. Understanding the causes of this issue is crucial to effectively resolve and prevent it from recurring.
To address this problem, you can make changes to your browser’s settings and disable any extensions that may be causing the problem. Additionally, reviewing the Free Download Manager’s own settings can help identify and rectify any configurations that contribute to the unwanted behavior. By following these steps, you can regain control over when Free Download Manager opens and prevent it from launching unexpectedly.
Furthermore, it’s important to keep Free Download Manager updated to its latest version. Software updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements, which may address the issue of the application opening without user initiation. Regularly checking for updates and installing them promptly can enhance the reliability and stability of the software. Additionally, if the problem persists despite implementing the aforementioned solutions, contacting the Free Download Manager support team for assistance may be necessary. They can provide specialized guidance and technical support to diagnose and resolve the issue effectively.
Disable Automatic Startup
Free Download Manager (FDM) is a powerful download manager that can enhance your downloading experience. However, it may sometimes start automatically when you boot your computer, which can be inconvenient. Fortunately, there are several ways to disable FDM’s automatic startup:
Method 1: Through FDM Settings
- Open FDM.
- Go to Tools menu and select Options.
- In the Options window, click on the General tab.
- Uncheck the Start Free Download Manager when Windows starts checkbox.
- Click on OK to save your changes.
Method 2: Using Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Go to the Startup tab.
- Right-click on the FDM entry and select Disable.
- This will prevent FDM from starting automatically when you boot your computer.
Method 3: Editing Registry
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type regedit and click on OK.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
- Right-click on the FDM entry and select Delete.
- Click on Yes to confirm the deletion.
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
| Registry Key |
|---|
| HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run |
By following these steps, you can effectively disable FDM from opening automatically when you boot your computer, ensuring a smoother and less cluttered startup experience.
Remove Registry Corruption
Registry corruption is a common cause of Free Download Manager (FDM) opening automatically. It occurs when there are invalid or damaged entries in the Windows Registry associated with FDM. To fix this issue, follow these steps:
- Press Windows key + R to open the “Run” dialog box.
- Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Free Download Manager - Locate the “RunAtStartup” DWORD and double-click it.
- Change the “Value data” to “0” and click “OK”.
- Exit the Registry Editor.
Alternatively, you can use a third-party registry cleaner to scan and repair any corrupted registry entries. However, be cautious about using such tools as they can sometimes cause more harm than good if not used properly.
Additional Tips
- Disable third-party browser extensions or add-ons that may be interfering with FDM.
- Reset FDM to its default settings by navigating to “Settings” > “General” and clicking the “Reset to Defaults” button.
- Reinstall FDM to overwrite any corrupt or missing registry entries.
Uninstall and Reinstall FDM
If the above methods don’t resolve the issue, you may need to uninstall and reinstall FDM. Here’s how:
- Open the Control Panel and go to “Programs and Features.”
- Find “Free Download Manager” in the list of installed programs and click “Uninstall.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
- Once FDM is uninstalled, download the latest version from the official website and install it.
Advanced Troubleshooting:
If you encounter any issues during uninstallation or reinstallation, try the following advanced troubleshooting steps:
Disable background programs: Some background programs can interfere with the uninstallation or reinstallation process. Close all unnecessary programs before proceeding.
Run FDM uninstaller as administrator: Right-click on the FDM uninstaller executable and select “Run as administrator.”
Use a third-party uninstaller: If the built-in uninstaller fails, try using a third-party uninstaller such as Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller.
Delete FDM registry entries manually: Note that this step is not recommended unless you are comfortable editing the Windows registry. Incorrectly modifying the registry can cause system instability.
| Registry Key | Value to Delete |
|---|---|
| HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FreeDownloadManager | All values |
| HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\FreeDownloadManager | All values |
| HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\FreeDownloadManager | All values |
After deleting the registry entries, restart your computer and reinstall FDM.
Edit FDM Settings
To customize FDM’s settings and prevent it from opening automatically, follow these steps:
“Options” Menu
- Open FDM.
- Click the “Tools” menu.
- Select “Options”.
“General” Tab
Under the “General” tab, uncheck the following options:
- “Start Free Download Manager when Windows starts”
- “Check for updates automatically”
“Download” Tab
Under the “Download” tab, set the following options:
- “Default download location”: Choose your preferred download folder.
- “Maximum active downloads”: Set a limit on the number of simultaneous downloads.
- “Confirm before starting a download”: Uncheck this option to prevent FDM from prompting you before starting a download.
“Browser” Tab
Under the “Browser” tab, configure the following settings:
| Option | Value |
|---|---|
| “Browser Integration” | Uncheck “Enable browser integration” |
| “Extension” | Uncheck “Enable extension” for all supported browsers |
Additionally, you can use third-party software or browser extensions to block FDM from opening. Consult your preferred software or extension’s documentation for specific instructions.
Block FDM in Firewall
Another effective way to block FDM from launching at startup is through the Windows Firewall. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Open Windows Firewall
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “wf.msc” (without quotes) and press Enter to launch the Windows Firewall.
2. Navigate to Advanced Settings
In the left pane of the Windows Firewall window, click on “Advanced settings” to open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window.
3. Create an Outbound Rule
In the left pane of the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window, select “Outbound Rules”. Right-click in the right pane and choose “New Rule” from the menu.
4. Select the Program
In the “New Outbound Rule Wizard”, select “Program” as the rule type. Click “Next” to continue.
5. Specify the Program Path
In the “Program” section, click on the “Browse…” button. Navigate to the installation directory of FDM. Select the FDM executable file (usually named “FDM.exe”) and click “Open”. Click “Next” to proceed.
| Program Path | Value |
|---|---|
| C:\Program Files (x86)\Free Download Manager\FDM.exe | Enter this path or browse to it. |
6. Block the Connection
In the “Action” section, select “Block the connection” from the drop-down menu. Click “Next” to continue.
7. Apply the Rule
In the “Profile” section, select the network profiles where you want to block FDM (e.g., Domain, Private, Public). Click “Next” to proceed.
8. Name the Rule
In the “Name” section, provide a descriptive name for the rule (e.g., “Block FDM Outbound”). Click “Finish” to create and apply the rule.
Disable Extensions and Plugins
Many browsers, like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, let you install extensions and plugins to expand their functionality. However, some extensions and plugins can interfere with FDM’s operation, causing it to open on startup.
To disable extensions and plugins in your browser:
- Open your browser.
- Click on the three dots or lines in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
- Select “Extensions” or “Plugins” from the menu.
- Find FDM’s extension or plugin in the list.
- Toggle the switch or click the “Disable” button to turn off the extension or plugin.
- Restart your browser to apply the changes.
| Browser | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Chrome | Open Chrome. Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner. Select “More Tools” > “Extensions”. Find FDM’s extension in the list. Toggle the switch to disable the extension. |
| Firefox | Open Firefox. Click on the three lines in the upper-right corner. Select “Add-ons” > “Extensions”. Find FDM’s extension in the list. Click the “Disable” button. |
| Edge | Open Edge. Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner. Select “Extensions”. Find FDM’s extension in the list. Toggle the switch to disable the extension. |
| Safari | Open Safari. Click on “Safari” in the menu bar. Select “Preferences” > “Extensions”. Find FDM’s extension in the list. Uncheck the box to disable the extension. |
Reset Browser Settings
Resetting your browser settings can disable unwanted extensions and restore your browser to its default configuration. Here’s how to do it for different browsers:
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome’s Settings.
- Scroll down and click on “Advanced.”
- Scroll down further and click on “Reset and clean up.”
- Click on “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
- Confirm by clicking on “Reset settings.”
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox’s Options.
- In the “General” tab, scroll down to “Troubleshooting Information.”
- Click on “Refresh Firefox.”
- Confirm by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” again.
Microsoft Edge
- Open Edge’s Settings.
- In the “Reset settings” section, click on “Restore settings to their default values.”
- Confirm by clicking on “Reset.”
Safari
- Open Safari’s Preferences.
- Click on the “Advanced” tab.
- Check the box for “Show Develop menu in menu bar.”
- In the menu bar, click on “Develop” then “Empty Caches.”
Opera
- Open Opera’s Settings.
- In the “Advanced” tab, scroll down to “Reset settings.”
- Click on “Restore to default.”
- Confirm by clicking on “Reset.”
Note: Resetting your browser settings will delete all extensions, bookmarks, and preferences. Make sure to back up important data before proceeding.
Remove Suspicious Software
Free Download Manager (FDM) is a popular download manager that can be used to download files from the internet. However, it has been known to open automatically in some cases, even when it is not needed. This can be annoying and can slow down your computer. There are a few things that you can do to stop FDM from opening automatically.
1. Uninstall FDM
If you no longer need FDM, you can uninstall it from your computer. This will stop it from opening automatically and will also free up some space on your hard drive.
2. Disable FDM in Startup
FDM may be set to open automatically when you start your computer. You can disable this setting in the Startup tab of the Task Manager.
3. Remove FDM from Your Browser
FDM may have been added to your browser as an extension or add-on. You can remove it from your browser’s settings.
4. Run a Malware Scan
If you suspect that FDM is being opened by malware, you can run a malware scan to remove the malware.
5. Reset Your Browser
If you have tried all of the above steps and FDM is still opening automatically, you can try resetting your browser.
6. Contact FDM Support
If you are still having problems with FDM, you can contact FDM support for help.
7. Automatic Start Option
In the FDM settings, under the “General” tab, uncheck the “Start Free Download Manager automatically when Windows starts” option.
8. Prevent FDM From Opening Certain File Types
If you only want to prevent FDM from opening certain file types, you can edit the FDM settings under the “File Types” tab. Uncheck the box next to the file type(s) you want to prevent FDM from opening.
| File Type | Description |
|---|---|
| .exe | Executable files |
| .zip | Compressed files |
| .rar | Compressed files |
| .torrent | Torrent files |
Temporarily Deactivate Antivirus
Antivirus software can sometimes interfere with the operation of Free Download Manager (FDM). If you’re having trouble using FDM, you can try temporarily deactivating your antivirus software to see if that resolves the issue. Here are the steps on how to do it:
- Find the antivirus icon in your system tray (usually in the lower-right corner of your screen).
- Right-click on the icon and select “Disable” or “Exit”.
- Confirm that you want to disable the antivirus software.
- Once the antivirus software is disabled, try using FDM again to see if the problem is resolved.
- If the problem is resolved, you can re-enable your antivirus software by following the steps above and selecting “Enable” instead of “Disable”.
If you’re not sure how to disable your antivirus software, consult the documentation for your specific software.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Find the antivirus icon in your system tray. |
| 2 | Right-click on the icon and select “Disable” or “Exit”. |
| 3 | Confirm that you want to disable the antivirus software. |
| 4 | Try using FDM again to see if the problem is resolved. |
| 5 | If the problem is resolved, re-enable your antivirus software. |
Restart Your Computer
Restarting your computer can often resolve minor software glitches that may be causing FDM to open on its own. Once your computer has restarted, check if the issue persists.
Disable FDM’s Startup Option
FDM may automatically open on startup if you have enabled this option. Here’s how to disable it:
- Open FDM and go to “Tools” > “Options”.
- Click on the “General” tab.
- Uncheck the “Start Free Download Manager when Windows starts” option.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
Check Your Browser Extensions
Some browser extensions can interfere with FDM’s functionality. If you have any browser extensions related to downloads, try disabling them one by one to see if the issue resolves.
Scan for Malware
Malware infections can cause unexpected program behavior. Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program to detect and remove any potential threats.
Reinstall FDM
If none of the above solutions work, try reinstalling FDM. This will overwrite any corrupted or missing files that may be causing the issue.
Contact FDM Support
If you continue to experience the issue after trying all the above solutions, reach out to FDM’s support team.
Contact FDM Support
You can contact FDM’s support team through the following channels:
| Channel | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| support@freedownloadmanager.org | |
| Forum | https://forum.freedownloadmanager.org/ |
| Website | https://www.freedownloadmanager.org/ |
When contacting support, provide clear details about the issue you are facing, including any error messages or screenshots that may be relevant.
1 Fitcher How To Stop Free Download Manger From Opening
If you’re tired of Free Download Manager (FDM) automatically opening every time you click on a download link, there are a few things you can do to stop it. One option is to disable FDM’s browser integration. To do this, open FDM and go to the “Options” menu. Then, click on the “Browser Integration” tab and uncheck the box next to “Enable browser integration.” Alternatively, you can uninstall FDM completely. To do this, go to the “Control Panel” and click on “Programs and Features.” Then, select FDM from the list of programs and click on “Uninstall.” You can also try changing your default download manager. To do this, open your browser and go to the “Settings” menu. Then, click on the “Downloads” section and select a different download manager from the drop-down menu.
People Also Ask
How do I stop FDM from opening automatically?
To stop FDM from opening automatically, you need to disable its browser integration. To do this, open FDM and go to the “Options” menu. Then, click on the “Browser Integration” tab and uncheck the box next to “Enable browser integration.”
How do I change my default download manager?
To change your default download manager, open your browser and go to the “Settings” menu. Then, click on the “Downloads” section and select a different download manager from the drop-down menu.
