Unable to Open or View Downloaded File without File Extension

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows NT 4.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 98
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open or save a file you downloaded from the Internet, you may experience one of the following symptoms:

• When you try to open the file, you are prompted to choose a program to view the file, and this may occur even if you have a program associated with this file type.



• When you try to save this file, the file may be saved with a document (.doc) file extension, and this may occur even if the file is not a document.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if both of the following conditions exist:

• The Web address of the file you downloaded does not have a file extension.



• The file you downloaded does not contain a content-disposition header.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, contact the administrator of the Web site to request a file extension be added to the file, or a content-disposition header be added to the file.

To work around this issue if you know the proper file extension, rename the file, and add the appropriate file extension. To rename a file, right-click it, type the new file name, and then press ENTER.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbui msiew95 msient msiew98 
Version           : WINDOWS:5
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: May 6, 1999