Aug 6, 20237 min read

Unable To 2021 Download From Uri 39;https Go.microsoft.com Fwlink

How to Fix Unable to Download from URI ' Error in Windows

If you are trying to download a module from the PowerShell gallery or install a package provider using NuGet, you may encounter an error message like this:

WARNING: Unable to download from URI ' to ''.

This error means that PowerShell is unable to access the URL that is supposed to redirect you to the download source. This URL is called a fwlink, which stands for forward link. It is a short link service used by Microsoft to provide stable and easy-to-remember links for various products and services.

unable to download from uri 39;https go.microsoft.com fwlink

Download Zip

In this article, we will explain what causes this error and how to fix it using three methods. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about fwlink and download errors in Windows.

What is fwlink and why does it cause download errors?

fwlink is a short link service used by Microsoft

A fwlink is a short link that starts with followed by a query string that contains a LinkId parameter. The LinkId is a unique identifier that corresponds to a specific destination URL. For example, the fwlink redirects you to the Microsoft Safety Scanner download page.

The advantage of using fwlink is that it allows Microsoft to change the destination URL without breaking the existing links. For example, if Microsoft updates the Safety Scanner software, they can simply update the destination URL of the fwlink without changing the LinkId. This way, users who have bookmarked or shared the fwlink will always get the latest version of the software.

fwlink may fail to download due to outdated cryptography, proxy settings, or network issues

However, sometimes fwlink may fail to download due to various reasons. Some of the common causes are:

Outdated cryptography settings: If you are using an older operating system or PowerShell version, you may not have the latest cryptography protocol enabled on your device. This may prevent you from accessing secure websites that use HTTPS, such as fwlink. You need to enable TLS 1.2 protocol on your device to fix this issue.

Proxy settings: If you are behind a proxy server, you may need to configure your proxy settings in Windows and PowerShell. You also need to provide your proxy credentials when downloading from fwlink. Otherwise, you may get an authentication error or a timeout error.

Network issues: If you have a slow or unstable internet connection, you may experience download errors due to network congestion or interruption. You may need to check your network status and troubleshoot any problems.

How to fix download errors caused by fwlink in Windows?

Method 1: Update your cryptography settings

One of the possible solutions to fix the download error caused by fwlink is to update your cryptography settings on your device. You need to enable TLS 1.2 protocol, which is the latest and most secure version of the Transport Layer Security protocol. TLS 1.2 ensures that your communication with the fwlink server is encrypted and authenticated.

To enable TLS 1.2 protocol on your device, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Open PowerShell as an administrator

To update your cryptography settings, you need to run some commands in PowerShell. To do that, you need to open PowerShell as an administrator. You can do that by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu.

Step 2: Check your current cryptography protocol

Before you enable TLS 1.2 protocol, you need to check what cryptography protocol you are currently using on your device. You can do that by running this command in PowerShell:

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol

This command will show you the current security protocol on your device. If you see Ssl3, Tls, or Tls11, it means that you are using an outdated protocol and you need to enable TLS 1.2.

Step 3: Enable TLS 1.2 protocol

To enable TLS 1.2 protocol on your device, you need to run this command in PowerShell:

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12

This command will set the security protocol on your device to TLS 1.2. You can verify that by running the previous command again and checking the output.

Step 4: Restart PowerShell and try to download again

After you have enabled TLS 1.2 protocol on your device, you need to restart PowerShell and try to download from fwlink again. You can do that by closing and reopening PowerShell as an administrator, and then running the download command again. For example, if you want to download a module from the PowerShell gallery, you can run this command:

Install-Module -Name ModuleName

If you have successfully enabled TLS 1.2 protocol, you should be able to download from fwlink without any errors.

Method 2: Use proxy parameters for downloading

Another possible solution to fix the download error caused by fwlink is to use proxy parameters for downloading. If you are behind a proxy server, you may need to provide your proxy settings and credentials when downloading from fwlink. Otherwise, you may get an authentication error or a timeout error.

To use proxy parameters for downloading from fwlink, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Configure your proxy settings in Windows

To use a proxy server for downloading from fwlink, you need to configure your proxy settings in Windows first. You can do that by following these steps:

Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet.

Select Proxy from the left pane and turn on Use a proxy server under Manual proxy setup.

Enter the address and port of your proxy server in the corresponding fields.

If your proxy server requires authentication, turn on Proxy server requires a password and enter your username and password in the corresponding fields.

Click Save and close the Settings app.

Step 2: Get your proxy credentials

To use proxy parameters for downloading from fwlink, you also need to get your proxy credentials in PowerShell. You can do that by running this command in PowerShell:

$proxyCredential = Get-Credential

This command will prompt you to enter your username and password for your proxy server. After you enter them, press OK and store them in a variable called $proxyCredential.

Step 3: Use the proxy and proxycredential parameters for downloading

After you have configured your proxy settings in Windows and got your proxy credentials in PowerShell, you can use them for downloading from fwlink. You can do that by adding the -Proxy and -ProxyCredential parameters to your download command. For example, if you want to download a module from the PowerShell gallery, you can run this command:

Install-Module -Name ModuleName -Proxy -ProxyCredential $proxyCredential

This command will use the proxy server and credentials that you have specified to download from fwlink without any errors.

Method 3: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

A third possible solution to fix the download error caused by fwlink is to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. This is a built-in tool that can help you diagnose and fix common problems with Windows Update, such as download errors, installation errors, or activation errors.

To run the Windows Update Troubleshooter, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app and go to Troubleshoot

To access the Windows Update Troubleshooter, you need to open the Settings app and go to Troubleshoot. You can do that by pressing the Windows key + I and selecting Update & Security from the menu. Then, click on Troubleshoot from the left pane.

Step 2: Select Windows Update and run the troubleshooter

To run the Windows Update Troubleshooter, you need to select Windows Update from the list of troubleshooters and click on Run the troubleshooter. This will launch the troubleshooter and scan your device for any issues with Windows Update.

Step 3: Follow the instructions and restart your device

After the troubleshooter has finished scanning your device, it will show you the results and suggest some possible fixes. You need to follow the instructions on the screen and apply the recommended fixes. Some of them may require you to restart your device, so make sure you save your work before doing so.

After you have applied the fixes and restarted your device, you can try to download from fwlink again and see if the error is resolved.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained what fwlink is and why it may cause download errors in Windows. We have also shown you three methods to fix this error using PowerShell commands, proxy parameters, or the Windows Update Troubleshooter. We hope that these methods have helped you solve your problem and download from fwlink successfully.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about fwlink and download errors in Windows:

What is fwlink?

Fwlink is a short link service used by Microsoft to provide stable and easy-to-remember links for various products and services. It stands for forward link and it starts with followed by a query string that contains a LinkId parameter. The LinkId is a unique identifier that corresponds to a specific destination URL.

Why does fwlink cause download errors?

Fwlink may cause download errors due to outdated cryptography settings, proxy settings, or network issues. These factors may prevent PowerShell from accessing the URL that is supposed to redirect you to the download source. You need to update your cryptography settings, use proxy parameters, or run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix this error.

How do I update my cryptography settings?

To update your cryptography settings, you need to enable TLS 1.2 protocol on your device. You can do that by opening PowerShell as an administrator and running these commands: