"Your Current Security Settings Prohibit Running ActiveX Controls on this Page" Error Message When You Install Macromedia Shockwave Player

When you try to download and install Macromedia Shockwave Player from the Macromedia Shockwave Player Download Center Web site, you may receive the following error message:

This issue occurs if the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration feature is enabled. By default, the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration feature is enabled in Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003-based computers.

This enhanced level of security may prevent certain Web sites from displaying as expected in Internet Explorer. For example, programs that require the Web browser may not work as expected because scripts, ActiveX controls, and downloads are disabled.

To resolve this issue, add the following Macromedia Web sites

• http://www.macromedia.com
• http://fpdownload.macromedia.com
• http://sdc.shockwave.com

to the Trusted sites zone in Internet Explorer. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Start Internet Explorer (if it is not already running).
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the Security tab.
4. Under Select a Web content zone to specify its security settings, click Trusted sites, and then click Sites.
5. In the Add this Web site to the zone box, type http://www.macromedia.com, and then click Add, type http://fpdownload.macromedia.com.
6. Click Add, type http://sdc.shockwave.com, and then click Add.
   
   The Macromedia Web sites are displayed in the Web sites list.
7. Click Close, and then click OK.

The Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration feature configures several security settings that define how you access Internet and intranet Web sites. The configuration also reduces the exposure of your server to Web sites that may pose a security risk. To log on to a Web site that requires Internet Explorer functionality that is disabled by the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration feature, add that Web site to the Trusted sites zone in Internet Explorer.

For more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration, see the Internet Explorer "Enhanced Security Configuration" Help topic. To do so (on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003), start Internet Explorer, and then on the Help menu, click Enhanced Security Configuration.

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.