Disable Automatic Opening or Saving of Downloads (Re-enable Always Ask Before Check Box)
If you have un-ticked or unchecked the check box of “Always ask before opening this type of file” for a particular file type or file extension on the File Download dialog box when you download the file with Internet Explorer (IE7 or IE6 or older), you will no longer see the File Download confirmation dialog again. The files will be automatically downloaded once you click on the link, and then open for you as your chosen preferred action. And thus you unable to make a pick of whether to save or open the particular file type in future. If you regretted the choice made and wish to have the File Download save or open confirmation dialog box to appear again as per default setting, just try the following trick.
- Open any folder with Windows Explorer or open My Computer, and then click on Tools in the menu bar and subsequently Folder Options in the drop down menu. Alternatively, go to Control Panel and select Folder Options.
- In the Folder Options dialog, select File Types tab. This tab lists every file type associated with Windows and may take a while to open.
- Locate and highlight (select) the file type or extension that you want to revert back the file download behavior to ask for open or save confirmation and stop the automatic opening or saving of downloaded file.
- Click on Advanced button. You have to log on or login on user account with Administrator or Power User privileges to use this function.
- In the Edit File Type window, clear (untick) the Confirm open after download check box.
- Click OK when done.
- Repeat the procedure for other filetype and ext that you want to change back to normal default.
For now on, whenever you click a link to download the particular type of file, you will be given either Open or Save As options again. Note that in Windows Vista, File Types tab is taken away, so the reset has to be done in registry.
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October 24th, 2009 21:14
But exe file is not in the list. Funny that is the most important one. How can I re-enable. If possible mail me when you answer. Thanks.
September 17th, 2009 09:41
Champion article. Clear and accurate – well done !!!!
November 8th, 2008 21:30
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
This article was of SO MUCH help to me, you really saved my day here, thank you!!!
September 26th, 2008 09:24
[...] Preventing automatic file downloads and opening (i.e. set Firefox/IE to always ask you, the user, if you actually wanted to download or open said file) [...]
September 12th, 2008 17:50
Hi,
When i click to open a pdf or excel document, the file download prompt appears with the open option as well as the save and cancel.
However, when i want to open a word or powerpoint attachment/link, the ‘open’ option on the file download prompt doesn’t appear/ or is inactive! This is driving me crazy as i’m having to save before i can open it!
Can anyone help? I desperately need to solve this problem. I’d appreciate any help.
July 24th, 2008 12:06
Thank you so much! This is why I generally use firefox, but sometimes compatibility is an issues. You saved me a lot of headaches.
May 19th, 2008 16:52
Thanks a lot.
very helpful.
March 23rd, 2008 09:58
Hello
When I download a file, it automatically closes, how do I uncheck the option of open the file – I will have to go to saved folder everytime to open the downloaded/saved file
I have a XP system
January 3rd, 2008 16:13
Windows Vista Sucks
June 17th, 2007 23:21
[...] to the default behavior with prompt to save or open functionality, we can use the same trick as reset the always ask setting in IE. The same trick will work because the “Always Ask Before Opening This Type of File” [...]
June 15th, 2007 22:33
[...] Windows XP, 2003, 2000 and older, there is simpler method to reset the Always Ask setting. Get help or contribute tips or tricks at My Digital Life [...]