Maybe @Ekopalypse 's suggestion to create the .ini file will go somewhere if the OP is trying it?

Created LocationNavigate.ini in c:\notepad++\plugins\config as per Ekopalypse’s post. No luck.

Unfortunately, I’m out of ideas regarding that side of things.

I still think there might be a permissions issue, but I don’t know how to go about looking for it. Maybe someone else will have some more ideas.

@Rahul-Jha,

That all looks reasonable

Hmm…

try dir /R/S c:\notepad++\plugins\ … this will see if the “unblock” really got rid of all the “alternate data streams” that it should have…

C:\>dir /R/S c:\notepad++\plugins

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins

08/13/2019  10:16 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  10:16 AM    <DIR>          ..
07/11/2019  09:05 AM    <DIR>          Config
07/04/2019  04:24 PM    <DIR>          CustomizeToolbar
06/17/2019  12:27 AM    <DIR>          doc
07/18/2019  10:17 AM    <DIR>          HexEditor
08/13/2019  03:38 PM    <DIR>          LocationNavigate
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          mimeTools
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          NppConverter
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          NppExport
07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          NppFTP
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config

07/11/2019  09:05 AM    <DIR>          .
07/11/2019  09:05 AM    <DIR>          ..
07/04/2019  11:54 AM               644 converter.ini
07/11/2019  09:00 AM               242 CustomizeToolbar.btn
08/14/2019  11:23 AM               548 CustomizeToolbar.dat
07/11/2019  09:03 AM               822 deline.bmp
08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          NppFTP
08/13/2019  03:50 PM           164,496 nppPluginList.dll
               5 File(s)        166,752 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP

08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          .
08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          ..
08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          Cache
08/14/2019  11:23 AM                84 Certificates.xml
08/13/2019  11:08 AM               342 known_hosts
08/14/2019  11:23 AM             1,581 NppFTP.xml
               3 File(s)          2,007 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP\Cache

08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          .
08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          chopra-adm@unixl178
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP\Cache\chopra-adm@unixl178

08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          etc
08/12/2019  04:08 PM               378 Install.log
               1 File(s)            378 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP\Cache\chopra-adm@unixl178\etc

08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          default
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP\Cache\chopra-adm@unixl178\etc\default

08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  08:34 AM               285 grub
               1 File(s)            285 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\CustomizeToolbar

07/04/2019  04:24 PM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  04:24 PM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:50 PM           135,168 CustomizeToolbar.dll
               1 File(s)        135,168 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\doc

06/17/2019  12:27 AM    <DIR>          .
06/17/2019  12:27 AM    <DIR>          ..
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\HexEditor

07/18/2019  10:17 AM    <DIR>          .
07/18/2019  10:17 AM    <DIR>          ..
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\LocationNavigate

08/13/2019  03:38 PM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  03:38 PM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:47 PM           110,592 LocationNavigate.dll
               1 File(s)        110,592 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\mimeTools

07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:49 PM            98,448 mimeTools.dll
               1 File(s)         98,448 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppConverter

07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:49 PM           135,312 NppConverter.dll
               1 File(s)        135,312 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppExport

07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:49 PM            21,648 NppExport.dll
               1 File(s)         21,648 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppFTP

07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          ..
07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          bin
07/04/2019  11:56 AM    <DIR>          doc
08/13/2019  03:50 PM         2,873,856 NppFTP.dll
               1 File(s)      2,873,856 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppFTP\bin

07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          ..
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppFTP\doc

07/04/2019  11:56 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:56 AM    <DIR>          ..
07/04/2019  11:56 AM            26,304 license_libssh.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM            35,821 license_NppFTP.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM             6,395 license_OpenSSL.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM               928 license_TiXML.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM            14,062 license_UTCP.htm
07/04/2019  11:56 AM             1,353 license_ZLIB.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM             5,319 Readme.txt
               7 File(s)         90,182 bytes

     Total Files Listed:
              23 File(s)      3,634,628 bytes
              50 Dir(s)  176,911,142,912 bytes free

in C:\notepad++\plugins\Config there no LocationNavigate.ini which makes more or less sense but I wonder whether this might be an issue if it cannot be created.
Can create one with the following content

[Setting]
MaxOffset=100
MaxList=50
AutoClean=0
AlwaysRecord=0
SaveRecord=0
InCurr=0
AutoRecord=1
NeedMark=1
ByBookMark=2
MarkColor=8831743
SaveColor=11927477

That all looks reasonable

Hmm…

try dir /R/S c:\notepad++\plugins\ … this will see if the “unblock” really got rid of all the “alternate data streams” that it should have…

You might wonder why we’re having so much trouble helping you, and asking you to try what may appear to be random things: it’s because we cannot replicate your results under the situations that you’re describing, and we’re trying to remote-debug your system to help you find what’s gone wrong, when we don’t have direct access to your system.

On one where I’ve got one that isn’t unblocked yet (intentionally so), I see:

 Directory of C:\usr\local\apps\npp.7.7.1.bin.x86\plugins\LocationNavigateA

08/13/2019  11:30 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  11:30 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  01:18 PM           110,592 LocationNavigateA.dll
                                   101 LocationNavigateA.dll:Zone.Identifier:$DATA
               1 File(s)        110,592 bytes

Note the second line under the main DLL listing, with a separate file size, and some colons in the name. :Zone.Identifier:$DATA is the stream where window’s stores that “blocked” status; when you unblock the file, that extra row disappears…

@Rahul-Jha

would you mind doing a dir /S c:\notepad++\plugins from a command prompt
and post the output?

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.14393]
(c) 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\>dir /S c:\notepad++\plugins

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins

08/13/2019  10:16 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  10:16 AM    <DIR>          ..
07/11/2019  09:05 AM    <DIR>          Config
07/04/2019  04:24 PM    <DIR>          CustomizeToolbar
06/17/2019  12:27 AM    <DIR>          doc
07/18/2019  10:17 AM    <DIR>          HexEditor
08/13/2019  03:38 PM    <DIR>          LocationNavigate
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          mimeTools
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          NppConverter
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          NppExport
07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          NppFTP
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config

07/11/2019  09:05 AM    <DIR>          .
07/11/2019  09:05 AM    <DIR>          ..
07/04/2019  11:54 AM               644 converter.ini
07/11/2019  09:00 AM               242 CustomizeToolbar.btn
08/14/2019  11:23 AM               548 CustomizeToolbar.dat
07/11/2019  09:03 AM               822 deline.bmp
08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          NppFTP
08/13/2019  03:50 PM           164,496 nppPluginList.dll
               5 File(s)        166,752 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP

08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          .
08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          ..
08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          Cache
08/14/2019  11:23 AM                84 Certificates.xml
08/13/2019  11:08 AM               342 known_hosts
08/14/2019  11:23 AM             1,581 NppFTP.xml
               3 File(s)          2,007 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP\Cache

08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          .
08/12/2019  04:08 PM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          chopra-adm@unixl178
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP\Cache\chopra-adm@unixl178

08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          etc
08/12/2019  04:08 PM               378 Install.log
               1 File(s)            378 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP\Cache\chopra-adm@unixl178\etc

08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          default
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\Config\NppFTP\Cache\chopra-adm@unixl178\etc\default

08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  08:34 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  08:34 AM               285 grub
               1 File(s)            285 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\CustomizeToolbar

07/04/2019  04:24 PM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  04:24 PM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:50 PM           135,168 CustomizeToolbar.dll
               1 File(s)        135,168 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\doc

06/17/2019  12:27 AM    <DIR>          .
06/17/2019  12:27 AM    <DIR>          ..
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\HexEditor

07/18/2019  10:17 AM    <DIR>          .
07/18/2019  10:17 AM    <DIR>          ..
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\LocationNavigate

08/13/2019  03:38 PM    <DIR>          .
08/13/2019  03:38 PM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:47 PM           110,592 LocationNavigate.dll
               1 File(s)        110,592 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\mimeTools

07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:49 PM            98,448 mimeTools.dll
               1 File(s)         98,448 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppConverter

07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:49 PM           135,312 NppConverter.dll
               1 File(s)        135,312 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppExport

07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:53 AM    <DIR>          ..
08/13/2019  03:49 PM            21,648 NppExport.dll
               1 File(s)         21,648 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppFTP

07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          ..
07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          bin
07/04/2019  11:56 AM    <DIR>          doc
08/13/2019  03:50 PM         2,873,856 NppFTP.dll
               1 File(s)      2,873,856 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppFTP\bin

07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:58 AM    <DIR>          ..
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of c:\notepad++\plugins\NppFTP\doc

07/04/2019  11:56 AM    <DIR>          .
07/04/2019  11:56 AM    <DIR>          ..
07/04/2019  11:56 AM            26,304 license_libssh.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM            35,821 license_NppFTP.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM             6,395 license_OpenSSL.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM               928 license_TiXML.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM            14,062 license_UTCP.htm
07/04/2019  11:56 AM             1,353 license_ZLIB.txt
07/04/2019  11:56 AM             5,319 Readme.txt
               7 File(s)         90,182 bytes

     Total Files Listed:
              23 File(s)      3,634,628 bytes
              50 Dir(s)  176,826,867,712 bytes free

would you mind doing a dir /S c:\notepad++\plugins from a command prompt
and post the output?

@Rahul-Jha

Notepad++ normaly comes with some default plugins. Do you see any plugin in the Plugins menu at all? Are you able to install other plugins than LocationNavigate?

Yes. Other plugins are there and working. I posted in the Debug Info. Here it is again.

Plugins : CustomizeToolbar.dll mimeTools.dll NppConverter.dll NppExport.dll NppFTP.dll

Notepad++ normaly comes with some default plugins. Do you see any plugin in the Plugins menu at all? Are you able to install other plugins than LocationNavigate?

@Rahul-Jha

OK. Windows Key+R worked and I was able to unblock all files. However, the problem didn’t go away.

Did you try the new copy of Notepad++ from the zip, with a new install of location navigator? If you don’t want to rename your old one, you could instead do the new unzip into c:\tmp-npp or some directory off of your Desktop or something.

Yes. Renamed the old directory. Unzipped to the newly created c:\notepad++ and reinstalled LocationNavigate. Still no go.

If you’re using the Microsoft App Store version, which claims to be unofficial and on v7.5.9 still, I don’t understand how you got the Debug Info you pasted earlier. If you’re not using that version, then I’m not sure why you brought up the App Store at all.

I am not using the App Store version 7.5.9. I downloaded from NPP website. The reason I brought up the App Store just to explain why I was able to unzip and use NPP because the app is available on the APP Store. Corporate Security is not version dependent i.e. as long as “notepad++.exe” is on their approved list, it doesn’t matter if it is 7.5.9 or 7.7.1. This is what I meant. Hope this is clear now.

Given that you said you got it from a zip, and you pasted 7.7.1 debug info, I am assuming you really grabbed the portable/zip from the official download location, and that’s what you’re really using.

Yes.

OK. Windows Key+R worked and I was able to unblock all files. However, the problem didn’t go away.

Did you try the new copy of Notepad++ from the zip, with a new install of location navigator? If you don’t want to rename your old one, you could instead do the new unzip into c:\tmp-npp or some directory off of your Desktop or something.

@Rahul-Jha said:

On my Windows Explorer, Shift+RightClick does not bring “Open Powershell Window Here”.

Yeah, sometimes it doesn’t. You can also Win+R (hold down the WINDOWS key and type R): powershell, then cd into the right directory. Or click the Windows start menu icon, then start typing powershell, and select “Windows Powershell”, then cd into the right directory. Or start your cmd.exe prompt, and type powershell to switch to powershell. But for future reference, if someone instructs you to use a “powershell command” to do something, it will likely not work if you try to run it in cmd.exe instead: they are not the same environment, and use different syntax and have different builtin or default commands available.

OK. Windows Key+R worked and I was able to unblock all files. However, the problem didn’t go away.

It still says (unofficial) Notepad++. This is from Microsoft App Store:

If you’re using the Microsoft App Store version, which claims to be unofficial and on v7.5.9 still, I don’t understand how you got the Debug Info you pasted earlier. If you’re not using that version, then I’m not sure why you brought up the App Store at all.

Given that you said you got it from a zip, and you pasted 7.7.1 debug info, I am assuming you really grabbed the portable/zip from the official download location, and that’s what you’re really using.

-----

I cannot tell at this point whether you’re going to try the powershell commands I’ve given, using powershell, not cmd.exe. If you do, hopefully that will work for you. Otherwise, you might want to move c:\notepad++ to c:\blocked-notepad++, then redo the portable installation: start with your 7.7.1 32-bit (x86) zipfile, do the RightClick > Properties > Unblock on the zipfile, then unzip to c:\notepad++. Then run that notepad++.exe, and use the Plugins Admin from that version to install Location Navigator plugin. (If that works, then delete the old c:\blocked-notepad++)

Let us know how things progress, and good luck,

On my Windows Explorer, Shift+RightClick does not bring “Open Powershell Window Here”.

Yeah, sometimes it doesn’t. You can also Win+R (hold down the WINDOWS key and type R): powershell, then cd into the right directory. Or click the Windows start menu icon, then start typing powershell, and select “Windows Powershell”, then cd into the right directory. Or start your cmd.exe prompt, and type powershell to switch to powershell. But for future reference, if someone instructs you to use a “powershell command” to do something, it will likely not work if you try to run it in cmd.exe instead: they are not the same environment, and use different syntax and have different builtin or default commands available.

To run powershell, from a Windows Explorer window, you should be able to Shift+RightClick in the directory, and choose “Open PowerShell Window Here”

On my Windows Explorer, Shift+RightClick does not bring “Open Powershell Window Here”.

Well, there’s one potential problem. The last time I heard, the copy of “Notepad++” available on the Microsoft App Store was not an official bundle; someone unrelated to the project took it upon themselves to release a fork under the same name; one of the other regulars can correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think Don and the team ever got around to officially releasing Notepad++ in the App Store (though I know in the 7.6.x era, they were working toward making that work; I just don’t remember that it was ever officially released there).

It still says (unofficial) Notepad++. This is from Microsoft App Store:

(unofficial) NotePad++

!!! We are working to update this to NP++ 7.6 as fast as possible. However there have been significant changes in the way plugins are handled with 7.6 - and we really want to bring the Plugin Admin experience to you. Please bare with us as we work through the technical challenges while maintaining store compliance !!! 

This is an (unofficial) Open Source fork of the original Open Source Notepad++ (https://notepad-plus-plus.org/) to get notepad++ in the store. All functionality remains the same however there are some features that dont work due to store policy, or are limited (like some file associations, and the run options). This is a published centennial application. All Credit to the original Notepad++ team, all the heavy lifting of creating an awesome app was done by them. 

This is currently Notepad++ version 7.5.9 (updated in this update) Code and changes required for publishing is located here: https://github.com/NightRi-se/notepad-plus-plus

Known issues: 
1. Default Plugins can not be removed or updated 
2. Custom plugins CAN NOT be loaded AT ALL on Windows 10 S (on other versions of windows, it is possible to load them from %appdata% - but ensure your plugin version matches your build version [x86/x64]). 

We are working on including a selection of plugins by default for future versions. Current we have included MarkdownViewer++ and Compare plugins by default.

 Notepad++ is a free (free as in both "free speech" and "free beer") source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several programming languages and natural languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GPL License.

 !!! We are working to update this to NP++ 7.6 as fast as possible. However there have been significant changes in the way plugins are handled with 7.6 - and we really want to bring the Plugin Admin 

This is what I get when I issue the command:

You’re not using powershell; that error message is a cmd.exe error.
In powershell, if it doesn’t recognize the name (for example, if I have a typo), it will show:

PS C:\> dir -Path \usr\local\apps\notepad++ -Recurse | Unblock-Filex
Unblock-Filex : The term 'Unblock-Filex' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable
program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:48
+ dir -Path \usr\local\apps\notepad++ -Recurse | Unblock-Filex
+                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The error you showed is what cmd.exe shows when you give it an unrecognized command.

To run powershell, from a Windows Explorer window, you should be able to Shift+RightClick in the directory, and choose “Open PowerShell Window Here”

Mainly because Notepad++ is available as an App on Microsoft Store and it is probably an approved application.

Well, there’s one potential problem. The last time I heard, the copy of “Notepad++” available on the Microsoft App Store was not an official bundle; someone unrelated to the project took it upon themselves to release a fork under the same name; one of the other regulars can correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think Don and the team ever got around to officially releasing Notepad++ in the App Store (though I know in the 7.6.x era, they were working toward making that work; I just don’t remember that it was ever officially released there).

@Rahul-Jha said:

I am unable to use … due to workplace security.

Wow. I don’t think I’ve seen an IT group that fully prevents you from running specific builtin powershell commands, like Unblock-File (though I have seen ones – like mine – that block powershell script files). Then again, I’m not an IT guy or a powershell expert. I mean, I understand not being able to use SysInternals streams.exe, or them not wanting you to install Notepad++ yourself, but powershell builtins…

This is what I get when I issue the command:

C:\>dir -path c:\notepad++ -Recurse | Unblock-File
'Unblock-File' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

Honestly, if they are that concerned about security – and that good at blocking things – I’m surprised you were able to get the portable Notepad++ to work, and I would be surprised if you’re able to use your portable Notepad++ indefinitely. Instead of trying to circumvent / fight them, maybe try to get IT to do a full installation of Notepad++ and all the plugins you need.

Unzipping and running the program was not an issue. Mainly because Notepad++ is available as an App on Microsoft Store and it is probably an approved application.

It is no point approaching them to do full installation since that will be an exception which will never be approved by my manager.

(Please note that trying to circumvent IT’s restrictions on what you can and cannot run is often technically grounds for termination at many places of employment.)

Totally agree.

I am unable to use … due to workplace security.

Wow. I don’t think I’ve seen an IT group that fully prevents you from running specific builtin powershell commands, like Unblock-File (though I have seen ones – like mine – that block powershell script files). Then again, I’m not an IT guy or a powershell expert. I mean, I understand not being able to use SysInternals streams.exe, or them not wanting you to install Notepad++ yourself, but powershell builtins…

I am curious how you were able to unzip and use your own portable app at all, if they’ve got you that locked down.

However, I manually went in and unblocked all files whether or not they were related to LocationNavigate. Issue still persists.

I still think it’s probably a permissions issue, especially given what you’ve said about your workplace security.

Honestly, if they are that concerned about security – and that good at blocking things – I’m surprised you were able to get the portable Notepad++ to work, and I would be surprised if you’re able to use your portable Notepad++ indefinitely. Instead of trying to circumvent / fight them, maybe try to get IT to do a full installation of Notepad++ and all the plugins you need. (Please note that trying to circumvent IT’s restrictions on what you can and cannot run is often technically grounds for termination at many places of employment.)

@Rahul-Jha

You restarted Notepad++ after unblocking the file?

Yes. I did but no luck.

@Peter Jones. I am unable to use the unblock command or other utilities due to workplace security. However, I manually went in and unblocked all files whether or not they were related to LocationNavigate. Issue still persists.

FYI, I am calling it a day now and if any more suggestions, I will try them in the morning.

Thanks everyone for your prompt and excellent support.

:-D hahaha or by using npp :-D (well if it wasn’t a binary file)

@dinkumoil, is there a way to recusively unblock it for everything in c:\notepad++ ?

Yes it is. Though you already provided a PowerShell solution I’ll add a solution with an external tool, for those who can not use PowerShell for some reason.

Since the blocking for a certain file is realised by creating an NTFS Alternate Data Stream (ADS) for that file, the blocking can be removed by deleting that ADS. This is possible with the SysInternals tool streams.exe which can be downloaded >>> here <<<. It supports removing the ADS from a whole directory structure recursively.

Peter, in general you are an amazement, to go to such support lengths…

says the author of this :-)

back on topic:
@Rahul-Jha said,

I checked the properties of the .dll and it was in fact blocked. I unblocked it as you suggested but it still didn’t work.

It may be that more of the files and/or folders of your Notepad++ install have that same issue. You could manually check, especially the LocationNavigate and plugins folders. @dinkumoil, is there a way to recusively unblock it for everything in c:\notepad++ ?

Actually, a quick google led me to https://www.404techsupport.com/2016/06/24/unblock-files-powershell/, which says that if you launch powershell, you should be able to do this using

dir -Path c:\notepad++\ -Recurse | Unblock-File

Apparently, that should unblock everything in the c:\notepad++ hierarchy.