Windows 7 Install .EXE files / change security feature preventing install?

[melissajkelly]

I have a few small .exe files that I received by e-mail. When I click on them to install the program I get a message saying Windows is preventing running the file for security reasons. I know the file is free of viruses and want to install it. I am told there is a setting somewhere to turn this security feature "off"---can you tell me where that is/how I do it? I am the only user of my PC and want this annoyance turned off.

I am running Windows 7 Pro 64-bit on a stand-alone PC with a hardwired Internet connection (no router).

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[Trouble]

You don't mention which program you are using for email, so are you sure that it is Windows 7 blocking or is it your email program.
Typically, when you email an actual program executable it is generally a best practice to zip it up first and send the zipped version. Then download / save the zipped file to a folder of your choosing and extract the file and then run the executable after it's extracted.