How to Change the Download Location for ActiveX Files (175319)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q175319

SUMMARY

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

This article describes how to change the default folder to which ActiveX files are installed when you download an ActiveX control. The default path of this folder is "Windows\Downloaded Program Files."

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

ActiveX .ocx and .inf files are installed in the Windows\Downloaded Program Files folder by default. To change this location, follow these steps:
  1. Use Registry Editor to change the "ActiveXCache" value to the location you want in the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Internet Settings

  2. Use Registry Editor to change the "0" value to the location you want in the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Internet Settings\ActiveX Cache

    NOTE: The values you enter in steps 1 and 2 must match.
The new value can be a folder on a local hard disk, a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) name, or a mapped network drive. Note that storing ActiveX files on a network server may reduce Internet Explorer performance because the ActiveX files must be run over the network.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/16/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbhowto KB175319
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.