Cannot open a tagged information file format (TIFF) File in Internet Explorer (319829)


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 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • 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 Q319829
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

When you click a link to download a Tagged Information File Format (TIFF) image from a Web site, the Open button in the File Download dialog box may be unavailable (dimmed).

Although you can download the TIFF file, you may be unable to open it in Internet Explorer.

CAUSE

The problem occurs if you have version 6.0.2713.1500 (or later) of the Shdocvw.dll file installed. Version 6.0.2713.1500 of Shdocvw.dll was included in the Internet Explorer Cumulative Patch from Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-005.

When you browse to a file, Internet Explorer uses the file name extension to retrieve the following information about the file:
  1. The default value for the registry key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.extension, which contains the ProgID for the server that is associated with the file type.
  2. The registry key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ProgID, which contains a subkey for the CLSID.
  3. The registry key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\CLSID, which contains a subkey for the ProgID. If the ProgIDs in items 1 and 3 are not equal, Internet Explorer disables the option to open the file if you have version 6.0.2713.1500 (or later) of the Shdocvw.dll file installed.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer 6. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

328548 How to obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer 6

WORKAROUND

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To work around this issue, follow these steps.
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Navigate to the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.tif

  3. In the right pane of Registry Editor, right-click (Default), and then click Modify on the shortcut menu that appears.
  4. In the Value data box, type one of the following values, as appropriate to your operating system.
    • Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows 98:

      Imaging.Document

    • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and Microsoft Windows 95:

      WangImage.Document

  5. Click OK.
  6. Navigate to the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.tiff

  7. In the right pane of Registry Editor, right-click (Default), and then click Modify on the shortcut menu that appears.
  8. In the Value data box, type one of the following values, as appropriate to your operating system.
    • Windows 2000 and Windows 98:

      Imaging.Document

    • Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 95:

      WangImage.Document

  9. Click OK.
  10. Quit Registry Editor.
Note If you use a graphics viewer that supports TIFF files (for example, Microsoft Imaging in Windows 2000), any of the registry values that are listed in the "Cause" section may be changed. As a result, this problem may reoccur.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

316059 MS02-005: February 11, 2002, Cumulative patch for Internet Explorer

313675 MS01-058: File vulnerability patch for Internet Explorer 5.5 and Internet Explorer 6

320289 "Always Ask Before Opening This Type of File" setting is lost for .tif files

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/31/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB319829
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