Err Msg: Internet Explorer Could Not Download <Filename>...

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This article was previously published under Q196505

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to download a Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlm, .xlc, .xlt), Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt), Microsoft Word (.doc, .dot), or Adobe (.pdf) file from the Internet, you may receive the following error message:

Internet Explorer could not download <filename> from <Web site>. The downloaded file is not available. This could be due to your Security or Language Settings or because the server was unable to retrieve the requested file.

NOTE: Other extensions may be affected as well.

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CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the file is located on a computer running Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) 4.0 or 5.0, or Microsoft Windows 2000 with either of the following configurations:

On the HTTP Header tab in Default Web Site properties, the Enable Content Expiration option is set to expire immediately.
On the HTTP Header tab in Default Web Site properties, the Enable Content Expiration option is set to expire on a past date.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, contact the Web site administrator and request that the Enable Content Expiration option be changed to expire on or after a future date.

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How to Set HTTP Headers for Content Expiration

To set content expiration for a Web site, for a virtual folder, or for a file, perform the following steps:

Start Internet Services Manager, or open the MMC that contains the IIS snap-in.
In the Internet Information Services dialog box, click to expand * server_name, where server_name is the name of the server.
Right-click the Web site, folder, or file for which you want to set content expiration (for example, click Default Web Site), and then click Properties.
Click the HTTP Headers tab.
Click to select the Enable Content Expiration check box.
In the Content should box, perform one of the following steps:
- Click Expire after, and then specify a period of time (in minutes, hours, or days) after the content that expires in the appropriate boxes.
  
  Use this option if you want Web content to expire after a specific length of time.
  -or-
- Click Expire on, and then click an expiration date and time in the appropriate boxes.
  
  Use this option when you want Web content to expire after a specific date and time.
Click OK, and then quit Internet Services Manager, or close the IIS snap-in.