Links download instead of opening in Safari and Chrome

Suggest that you completely uninstall (and completely remove) Sophos, as instructed by LeroyDouglas, then reboot in Safe Mode (reboot holding the Shift key). Then test Safari for normal operation in Safe Mode. If it works ok, then reboot normally and try again. Feel free to report back with success, if any.

System Preferences >> General and change the Default Browser to the one you what as the Default

Blessings2all wrote:

Whenever I click on a link on any website in Safari and Chrome, it downloads it instead (goes to the Save As window in Chrome). How do I fix this? I'm using Mac OS Catalina.

?

never heard of such pervasive issue...

What downloads when you click this hotlink on this website: https://www.apple.com/ ...(?)

You can Control click on a link to see options

Uninstall any and all third party Antivirus, Cleaners, Optimizers, VPN, speeder uppers....all known to cause issues on the macOS.

AntiVirus Software should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS  and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation.

The Built in Security  is all that is required. 

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

Blessings2all wrote:

Here's an image of what downloads when I click on that link:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/3a91d904-ed2b-49e5-bd1e-25f7d9f4a463

Any update here....

I would not consider this a download... It is a website address and yes the information populates the browser, but generally speaking is not referred to as a "download..." you are simply trying to visit the website and it is not loading completely. Reloading the page once or twice in an effort to read correctly...

The error you have there in your screen shot, is the reading the HTML but the CSS (style sheet) is not being read./loaded..this could be:

• a server error,
• could be your download speed is suspect (ie extremely slow) causing the incomplete reading of the code...
• or you have a network issue with your ISP
• or third party interference

So maybe you need to supply an example link of something you are trying to download to better exemplify the issue—your original statement "goes to the Save As window in Chrome" —which is not clear at all the problem/ if not confusing (?)

Restate the problem you are having...

If Safari on Mac doesn't open a webpage or isn't working

And yes the third party AV can cause issues ...Uninstall any and all third party Antivirus, Cleaners, Optimizers, VPN, speeder uppers..

To trouble shoot further you can:

 —Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262 and test

In Safe mode third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled, it removes malware, etc

 —Test issue in another user (or guest user) account https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-other-users-on-your-mac-mtusr001/mac  This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account.