When you try to open a file by clicking a hyperlink on the desktop of a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer, the file may not open

When you try to open a file by clicking a hyperlink on the desktop of a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based computer, the file may not open as expected.

By default, Microsoft Internet Explorer prevents access to a file in My Computer.

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.

Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to, or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you choose to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Close all instances of Internet Explorer.
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\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0
4. In the right pane, right-click 2101, and then click Modify.
5. Type 0 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
6. Exit Registry Editor.

To work around this issue, put the file that you want to open in a folder that is located on Universal Naming Convention (UNC) shared resources.