Downloaded PDF from Mail now has "From" attribute

It looks like in Sonoma 14.1 that when you download a PDF from an email in Mail, there is now some sort of attribute on the downloaded PDF that, in theory, points to the original email source. Is there an option to turn that off? Thanks!

Posted on Oct 27, 2023 10:33 AM

Reply
1 reply

Oct 27, 2023 11:46 AM in response to Mike Donscheski

The Spotlight metadata kMDItemWhereFroms URL is an extended attribute placed on a file containing its originating source URL. This is not on all downloaded files or those sent to you via email. The Finder reads that extended attribute and displays it in a Get Info panel, or a Finder Preview window if the Where from attribute is selected in the Finder Preview options panel.


There is no option in the Finder to disable that extended attribute being read and reported by the Finder Get Info panel. There is an option in the Terminal to do that though, but if you are uncomfortable in the Terminal than you should live with that kMDItemWhereFroms extended attribute rather than potentially make a costly mistake in the Terminal.


Let's say I have a PDF that I have downloaded from the Internet and it has the extended attribute I want to remove on it:



and I want to remove just that kMDItemWhereFroms attribute:



With that extended attribute removed, it will not be seen in Finder again. That quarantine extended attribute serves no purpose for me, so I could remove it in the same manner as the kMDItemWhereFroms attribute.

Downloaded PDF from Mail now has "From" attribute

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.