Zip Files Downloaded with Internet Explorer Are Not Saved to Your Computer (308090)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q308090

SYMPTOMS

When you download a Zip (.zip) file in Microsoft Internet Explorer, you may experience either of the following behaviors:
  • The file appears to download, but the file compression program that you use (for example, WinZip) opens and displays a blank window.

    When you search for the file, you are unable to locate it. The file does not exist on your hard disk.

    -or-
  • If you are running Microsoft Windows XP, and you use the Compressed (zipped) Folders feature as your file compression program, you receive the following error message:
    The Compressed (zipped) Folder is invalid or corrupted.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you click a hyperlink on a Web page to download a .zip file in either of the following scenarios:
  • Case 1: You are using Microsoft Windows XP, and the Confirm open after download check box is not selected. -or-

  • Case 2: The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to which the hyperlink points uses an Active Server Pages (ASP) or Common Gateway Interface (CGI) file.

    -and-

    You click Open or Open this file from its current location in the File Download dialog box.
Under these circumstances, Internet Explorer does not correctly save the file to the Temporary Internet Files folder on your hard disk after it is downloaded. As a result, you experience either of the behaviors described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the following procedures.

For case 1:
Before you download, make sure that the Confirm open after download option is selected. To verify this:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Folder Options.
  3. Click the File Types tab.
  4. Scroll down to and click the .zip extension.
  5. Click Advanced.
  6. Verify that Confirm open after download is selected.
For case 2:
  1. Click the hyperlink, and then click Save or Save this file to disk in the File Download dialog box that appears.
  2. In the Save As dialog box, specify a location to save the file to (for example, Desktop), and then click Save.
  3. When the download is finished, open the .zip file, and then extract the files that are contained in it.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about .zip files, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

259177 Description of Zip (.zip) Files

For additional information about how to use compressed folders in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

306531 HOW TO: Use Compressed (Zipped) Folders

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/4/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbpending kbprb KB308090
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.