Error message: "Internet Explorer cannot download a file"

When you try to download a file with Internet Explorer from a Web server, you may receive the following error message:

This behavior occurs because the content disposition header for the file stream is greater than approximately 150 bytes and the Latin character set is equal to 150 characters. This behavior may occur if the content disposition header is formatted with a non-Latin character set, such as Japanese or Russian.

For example, a 17-character content disposition header in the Japanese character set is 153 bytes because the UTF-8 encoding scheme uses 9 bytes to represent a single Japanese character, but it uses only 1 byte in the Latin character set.

Internet Explorer 5.01

Update information

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 3

Download the IE5.01sp3-KB871260-Windows2000sp3-x86-ENU.exe package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=84309cd9-ce02-410f-83ba-51cd835decb7) Release Date: July 30, 2004

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4

Download the IE5.01sp4-KB871260-Windows2000sp4-x86-ENU.exe package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=048ff203-d2e3-4710-bc0e-272fd857b905) Release Date: July 30, 2004

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

Prerequisites

Because of file dependencies, this update requires Internet Explorer 5.01 SP3 on Windows 2000 SP3 or Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4 on Windows 2000 SP4.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this update.

Update replacement information

This update does not replace any other updates.

File information:

Internet Explorer 5.01 SP3 Update

Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4 Update

Important In addition to installing the above update, you must add a registry key. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Select the following subkey in the registry:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
4. Name the new key as follows: FEATURE_ERROR_FILENAME_EXCEED_RANGE_KB816868
5. Right-click on FEATURE_ERROR_FILENAME_EXCEED_RANGE_KB816868, point to New, and click DWORD Value.
6. Type iexplore.exe, and then press ENTER.
7. Double-click the iexplore.exe subkey, type 1 in the Value data text box, and then click OK.
8. Exit Registry Editor.

Internet Explorer 6

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

Because of file dependencies, this hotfix requires Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes. The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.