How to Have Windows Media Player Prompt a User to Download a Windows Media File (286186)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1
This article was previously published under Q286186

SUMMARY

Windows Media Player will do a progressive playback (download and play) when it is receiving content from a Web server. This is not always the optimal method for retrieving content, however. Instead of telling users to "right-click" and "save target as," you can configure the Web page so that when the user clicks on the link, he or she is automatically prompted to open or save the specified file.

This can be done by taking the original URL link 
<HTML>
<a href="http://web_server_name/path/content_name.asf">Link</a>
</HTML>
and appending ?mswmext=.com so that it looks like: 
<HTML>
<a href="http://web_server_name/path/content_name.asf?mswmext=.com">Link</a>
</HTML>

MORE INFORMATION

This procedure only works for content that is coming from a Web server. Content that is coming from a Media Server will not behave this way.

If you are interested in further protecting your content, you should also consider using Windows Media Rights Manager, as described at the following Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/wm7/drm.asp

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/17/2003
Keywords:kbinfo KB286186
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.