Unable to Install New ActiveX Controls from Web Sites

ID: Q184429

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01, 5 for Windows 95
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01, 5 for Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

If you try to install a new ActiveX control from a Web site, you may not be prompted to install the control, and you may be unable to install the control. This behavior may occur regardless of your Internet Explorer security settings. Note that ActiveX controls that are already installed on your computer continue to work properly.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if your computer's Downloaded Program Files folder has been marked with the Read Only attribute. Internet Explorer is unable to download or install ActiveX controls to a folder that has the Read Only attribute.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, remove the Read Only attribute from the Downloaded Program Files folder. To do so, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.

2. In the Named box, type "downloaded program files" (without quotation

   marks), and then click Find Now.

3. Right-click the Downloaded Program Files folder in the list of found

   files, and then click Properties.

4. Click the Read-Only check box to clear it, and then click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Internet Explorer versions 4.0 and 4.01 and Microsoft Windows 98.

Additional query words: 4.00

Keywords          : kbenv msiew95 msient msiew98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 20, 1999