DOCUMENT:Q264968 08-MAY-2002 [iis] TITLE :Files without Extensions are Mapped to Application/Octet-Stream PRODUCT :Internet Information Server PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Internet Information Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When IIS locates a file that does not have an extension, the Content-Type that is sent back to the browser is set to application/octet-stream. There is no way to change this behavior in the user interface. The AOL Netscape browser does not display the file because of this header setting. Instead, it tries to download the file. RESOLUTION ========== WARNING: Editing the metabase incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall any product that uses the metabase. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from incorrectly editing the metabase can be solved. Edit the metabase at your own risk. NOTE: You should always back up the metabase before you edit it. To resolve this problem, do the following: 1. Install the IIS Resource Kit. 2. Run the Setup program to install MetaEdit. 3. Start MetaEdit, open the LM tree in the left hand pane, and then open the MimeMap folder. 4. In the right pane, double-click ID 6015 MimeMap. 5. In the Data list box, scroll down (about half way) until you find .*,application/octet-stream. 6. Change the value to .*,text/html. 7. Click OK, and then close MetaEdit. 8. Open a command window so that you can stop and restart IIS. 9. Type the following command at a command prompt: net stop iisadmin /y 10. Type the following command at a command prompt: net start w3svc WORKAROUND ========== Add an extension to the file. STATUS ====== This is by design. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbiisSearch kbiis500 kbiis400 Version : winnt:4.0,5.0 Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbprb Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.