XP / IE6 can't download files with .exe extention.

Just a thought:

It may not be IE at all... Does this computer have any additional programs installed on it that the others don't? Anything that would have something to do with downloads, FTP, faster downloads, firewalls, ad blocking, etc.?

I have found that as far as WinXP goes, it is for the most part bug-free. That doesn't mean that it can't catch a cold when introduced to new software.

I would also suggest cleaning out your IE history and IE temp. You could also clean your java and active x downloads.

Ummm, this may sound silly, but how full is your harddrive? If it is too full maybe something is stopping it from downloading? Probably not, but I have heard of that happening before, I just dont remember what it was that did it.....

cheers
-Sauv

http://www.generation.net/~hleboeuf/downfile.htm

i appreciate the link to that site with possible fixes, but i was unable to find anything that solved the problem.

one thing that bypasses the problem though, is i installed a download manager and that let the user get downloads with .exe extensions.

but the problem with IE itself is still there.

anymore idea's?

Greetings!
As an addendum to Jrman's post above, here is the detailed explanation of what might have happened on your system (and should apply to IE 6.x, as well) ...

Internet Explorer Opens .exe Files Instead of Downloading Them
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 98 SP 2
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95 SP 1
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95 SP 2
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0

This article was previously published under Q140991
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS
When you try to download an executable (.exe) file in Microsoft Internet Explorer, the file may be opened instead of downloaded.
CAUSE
In versions of Internet Explorer earlier than Internet Explorer 4.0, when you first choose to download a file in Internet Explorer, you receive a Confirm File Open dialog box. The Always ask before opening this type of file check box in this dialog box is selected.

If you clear the "Always ask before opening this type of file" check box, the registry entry for this setting is changed and you do not see the Confirm File Open dialog box in subsequent download sessions. Instead, Internet Explorer automatically opens files instead of downloading them.
RESOLUTION
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To work around this behavior, use the appropriate method.
Method 1
Right-click the link for the file you want to download, and then click Save Target As.
Method 2
Enable the Always ask before opening this type of file option. To do so, use Registry Editor to modify the third octet for the EditFlags value in the Hkey_Classes_Root\exefile key from 01 to 00.

NOTE: This method does not work if you are using Internet Explorer version 4.0 or later.

For example, change the EditFlags value from d8 07 01 00 to d8 07 00 00.

NOTE: The edit flag for Word documents is in the following location:

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document.6]
   @="Microsoft Word 6.0 - 7.0 Document" "EditFlags"=hex:00,00,01,00
                        

Change 01 in the third octet to 00.
MORE INFORMATION
The first time you click a link to download an .exe file in versions of Internet Explorer earlier than Internet Explorer 4.0, you receive a Confirm File Open dialog box. The Always ask before opening this type of file check box in this dialog box is selected. If you are sure it is safe to open the file, click Open. To save the file to disk, click Save As.

If you clear the Always ask before opening this type of file check box, you are no longer prompted whether or not to open a file. Instead, the file is opened automatically.

If you disable the prompt for ActiveMovie files (this includes any file type that uses ActiveMovie such as .wav, .mov, and .avi files), the registry key that needs to be modified is:


   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AMOVIE.ActiveMovie.Control.1
                        

Change the EditFlags value from 00 00 01 00 to 00 00 00 00.

If you are running Internet Explorer 4.0 later, the registry key that needs to be modified is:


   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AMOVIE.ActiveMovieControl.2
                        

Change the EditFlags value from 00 00 01 00 to 00 00 00 00.

If you are running Windows Media Player version 5.2, the registry key that needs to be modified is:


   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MediaPlayer.MediaPlayer.1
                        

Change the EditFlags value so that it is all zeros or a zero value.

The Always ask before opening this type of file check box is not displayed in Internet Explorer 4.0 and later.



For Windows Millennium
Click My Computer, click Tools, and then click Folder Options.
Click File types, and then highlight a file type.
Click Advanced, and then click to select Confirm open after download.
For more information about downloading other types of files, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
177976 Not Prompted to Specify Download Folder for File

Hope this better explains it!
Ted, the Modem Mixer

well, i did come across that earlier, but the .exe file never gets to the point of downloading, let alone opening.

when a link is clicked on, a box appears saying getting file information, but just hangs there.

the window never gets to the point of opening to ask you where you would like to save the file.

have you got any dnload manager programs installed? like gozilla?

Jrman, have a look here ...
(quoting Javin):
"one thing that bypasses the problem though, is i installed a download manager and that let the user get downloads with .exe extensions.
But the problem with IE itself is still there."
Only as a workaround did javin install a Download manager, so it's not likely what caused the problem being exhibited by IE.
Ted

Under tools>internet options  select the security tab.

Make sure that file downloads are enabled/set to prompt.

If still no joy:

Assuming your administraitor/network admin does not disable certain file extensions on the web server (such as .exe, .jpg, .zip etc - our admin does this) OR access to the registry, then you will need to examin the registry (not 100% on the exact key).  If its JUST .exe files that are affected, then the key for downloading .exe files may be corupted or missing.

If your network admin has disabled downloading and/or access to the registry, then it's unlikely that they will grant you the ability to do what your asking.


Simon.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299328
take a look here

getsurfers:

actually, i am the admin at this company.

so while it was a good thought, it isn't related to that in any way.
this problem with IE has left me at an impasse.

for now, i will just continue to have the user download files with the download manager i installed yesterday.

maybe someone, somewhere will stumble across a solution to this.

is so, please post that information here.

thanks for suggestions so far.

Internet Explorer 6 contains a hard-coded list of unsafe files in the shdocvw.dll file. IE 6 uses the unsafe-file list to prevent you from accidentally opening a file type that might cause problems on your computer.

Exclude .exe from the default list.

http://is-it-true.org/nt/registry/rtips324.shtml 


Already answered in:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20543937.html#1

Check if that helps!

javin,
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