Internet Explorer cannot access FTP servers on the Internet from a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

Article ID: 918208
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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:
  • You use Microsoft Internet Explorer to access a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server on a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based client computer.
  • Internet Explorer is configured to use FTP folders. (The Enable folder view for FTP sites default setting is turned on in Internet Explorer.)
  • You configure Internet Explorer to use a proxy server for FTP connections. You expect Internet Explorer to use the proxy server for FTP connections.
  • Name resolution for the target FTP server occurs on the client computer.
  • You configure the router to reject direct FTP connections on the Internet. In this configuration, the router sends back a "TCP RESET" message when the client computer requests a connection to an FTP server on the Internet.
In this scenario, Internet Explorer cannot access FTP servers on the Internet. Additionally, you receive an error message that resembles the following:
Windows cannot access this folder. Make sure you typed the file name correctly and that you have permission to access the folder.
Note Access to FTP servers on the intranet works as expected.
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CAUSE

When Internet Explorer is configured to use FTP folders, Internet Explorer tries to connect to an FTP server if the FTP server name can be resolved. If the direct connection to the FTP server cannot be established because of a time-out issue, Internet Explorer uses the proxy server. However, Internet Explorer does not use the proxy server if a direct connection to the FTP server is unsuccessful.
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RESOLUTION

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:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support
(http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)
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

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This 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 item in Control Panel.
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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Msieftp.dll6.0.2900.2891248,83220-Apr-200608:49x86
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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, turn off the Enable folder view for FTP sites setting in Internet Explorer. This prevents Internet Explorer from establishing a direct FTP connection to the target server. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type iexplore.exe, and then click OK.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click to clear the Enable folder view for FTP sites check box.
  4. Click Apply, and then click OK.
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STATUS

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

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/ )
Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
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Properties

Article ID: 918208 - Last Review: October 9, 2011 - Revision: 3.0
Keywords: 
kbautohotfix kbwinxpsp3fix kbwinxppresp3fix kbqfe kbHotfixServer kbfix kbbug KB918208
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