Error: The Server is configured for Basic authentication. The connection between your computer and the web server does not use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

skbohler
skbohler used Ask the Experts™
on
Hello,

We are running into an issue where users with Office 2010, when they click on a link to a Word document from a site protected with Basic Authentication, get the following error:

The Server is configured for Basic authentication. The connection between your computer and the web server does not use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

To resolve this problem, ask the server administrator enable SSL encryption on the web server (recommended). By default, Office 2010 applications can access and download files from a web server that uses Basic authentication only over an SSL connection.

Do I have to purchase a SSL certificate for this domain and require all users to access it via https://... ?

I know there is a setting in an office they can make to ignore this, but I don't want to request them to do that.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Steve
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IT System Administrator
Commented:
yes if you want to use HTTPS:// you need to have certificates configured. but if you want there is a workaround mentioned here. please have a look  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2123563
skbohler

Author

Commented:
I did come across that KB article. I was hoping there was a solution other than the work-around it lists. I don't want to ask users to change their Office settings, as the workaround directs.

Is there a way to make SSL enabled, but not required?

Thanks.
David Johnson, CD
Top Expert 2016

Commented:
you could use group policy to update the registry
in computer configuration

REG ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient\Parameters /v BasicAuthLevel /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f

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