JSI Tip 5525. When you browse to a .rtf file or .csv file in Internet Explorer, the option to open the file is dimmed?

Jerold Schulman

July 17, 2002

1 Min Read
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When you browse to a .rtf file or .csv file on a Web server, Internet Explorer may prompt you with:

You are downloading the file:

Would you like to open the file or save it to your computer?

The Open button and the Always ask before opening this type of file box are dimmed, making the options unavailable?

New versions of Shdocvw.dll cause Internet Explorer to disable these options when the ProgIDs in items 1 and 3 below do NOT match:

1. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.extension
2. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTProgIDCLSID
3. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSIDCLSID

NOTE: Word has different ProgIDs for .doc and .rtf files. Excel has has different ProgIDs for .xls and .csv files.

To workaround this feature, clear the Confirm open after download check box for .doc and .xls extensions:

1. Open My Computer.

2. On the Tools menu, press Folder Options.

3. Select the File Types tab.

4. Select DOC Microsoft Word Document or XLS Microsoft Excel Worksheet in the Registered File Types area and press Advanced.

5. Clear the Confirm open after download check box and press OK.

6. Press Close.



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