File Extensions Are Lost When Saving Files from the Internet

ID: Q176106

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01 for Windows 95
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you click a link to a file, click Save This File To Disk, change the name of the file or specify a download folder in the File Name box, and then save it, the file that is saved may have no file extension.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if Internet Explorer 4.0 is installed and the "Hide file extensions for known file types" (or "Hide MS-DOS file extensions for file types that are registered") check box is selected.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, rename the file using its correct extension. To do so, locate and right-click the file you downloaded, click Rename, type the correct file extension, and then press ENTER.

STATUS

This behavior no longer occurs in Internet Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 1. To obtain Internet Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 1, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

   www.microsoft.com/ie/

MORE INFORMATION

To avoid this problem, specify the download folder in the Save in box instead of the file name box, or use one of the following methods before you download a file:

Disable the Hiding of File Extensions

To disable the hiding of file extensions, follow these steps:

1. Double-click My Computer, and then click Options (or Folder Options)

   on the View menu.

2. Click the View tab, and then click the "Hide file extensions for known

   file types" (or "Hide MS-DOS file extensions for file types that are
   registered") check box to clear it.

3. Click OK, and then close My Computer.

Rename the File After Downloading

Do not rename the file before you begin downloading it. You can then rename the file after the download is finished.

Retain the File Name Extension

If you want to rename the file before you begin downloading it, type the correct file extension after the file name. For example, if you are renaming a file named Test.exe, you could type "newname.exe" (without quotation marks).

Additional query words: 4.00 4.01

Keywords          : kbenv kbui msiew95 msient ie4sp1 
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: March 18, 1999