
The methods below will guide you to open a file and bypass the “Operation did not complete successfully because the file contains a virus” message. If this happens, Windows Defender gives you the warning after protecting your computer. Typically, misleading links and malicious users spread files that appear genuine, but contain malware.


This is a general issue with all antivirus software - if code or behavior matches a known malware, Windows Defender may flag the file as dangerous. If you downloaded something from a genuine website, it’s possible that Windows Defender detected a false positive.

Whether or not the download is legitimate, Windows 10 may flag it as an infected file. Maybe you wanted to get an application for free to try it before committing to a purchase, or just clicked on a misleading link. If you’ve been on the internet for a while now, you probably downloaded something from a shady website. Can’t open a file because Windows 10 detects a virus in the file location? Learn here how to solve the “Operation did not complete successfully” error with 7 easy methods.
