The window that launches a File Download dialog box unexpectedly closes when you try to download a file by using Internet Explorer in Windows XP Service Pack 2

When you try to download a file by using Microsoft Internet Explorer, you may experience the following symptom:

When you click Save, Open, or Cancel in the File Download dialog box, the window that launches the File Download dialog box unexpectedly closes.

This problem may occur if you are running Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). This problem occurs because of a change in behavior in Internet Explorer when it runs in Windows XP SP2.

The MIME handling feature is changed when it processes a download from a pop-up window. In this scenario, the MIME handling feature closes the pop-up window when the downloaded content is sent from the Web server by using the "content-disposition; attachment" HTTP header.

Hotfix information

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

You must have Windows XP SP2 installed to apply the hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply the hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

The hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix 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.

Hotfix installation information

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.

Note This update is also included in cumulative updates starting after MS05-025 (883939). The cumulative update does not require the following steps to enable the changed behavior. The following registry changes are required only if you install this specific hotfix (896017).

After you install this hotfix and then restart the computer, you must configure a registry setting to enable the changes that this hotfix makes. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Quit Internet Explorer if it is running.
2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl
   Note If the FeatureControl subkey does not exist, add it. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Right-click Main, point to New, and then click Key.
   2. In the New Key #1 box, type FeatureControl, and then press ENTER.
4. Right-click FeatureControl, point to New, and then click Key.
5. In the New Key #1 box, type FEATURE_Enable_WindowOpen_when_ContentDisposition_Attachment_KB896017, and then press ENTER.
6. Right-click FEATURE_Enable_WindowOpen_when_ContentDisposition_Attachment_KB896017, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
7. In the New Value # 1 box, type iexplore.exe, and then press ENTER.
8. Right-click iexplore.exe, and then click Modify.
9. In the Value data box, type 00000001, and then click OK.
10. Quit Registry Editor.

To work around this problem, change the client HTML code to use a "target" value for the POST command that is sent to the server. For example, consider the following example code: To work around this problem, change this example code to the following code:

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

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