How can we force MacOS to forget that a specific file was downloaded from the web? MacOS remember that things were downloaded. MacOS refuse to open or execute script downloaded and prompt the famous message:


  cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer.


Can I make MacOS forget this file was downloaded?

I know I can do a right-click -> open.  But I want to avoid the additional hassle for specific files. The protection is particularly annoying for bash script you may want to open in a text editor multiple time. I'm well aware of the risk of exectuting a downloaded script.

I also know I can remove the protection altogether, but I don't want that.

In the info of the files, you have the information but it's not editable:
You can delete the download source by running

xattr -d com.apple.metadata:kMDItemWhereFroms FILENAME


To also remove the quarantine flag use

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine FILENAME


PS: If FILENAME is an application (ends in .app), add -r to have the attributes removed from all files within the application.