can't open downloaded files

[ron]

Recently I am having a problem with WINXP and IE. Downloaded files are
now being classified as IE shortcuts and can't be opened. this is
usually happening to large files downloaded as software updates. the
file size and name look right but seem to have a hidden .url at the end
of name. downloaded same files on older machine with WIN98 and IE 5.5SP2
and don't have problem.

is this an XP bug?

[Peter Hutchison]

On Fri, 09 Apr 2004 13:20:10 -0400, ron > wrote:

>Recently I am having a problem with WINXP and IE. Downloaded files are
>now being classified as IE shortcuts and can't be opened. this is
>usually happening to large files downloaded as software updates. the
>file size and name look right but seem to have a hidden .url at the end
>of name. downloaded same files on older machine with WIN98 and IE 5.5SP2
>and don't have problem.
>
>is this an XP bug?
>

Usually when downloading files, they are saved in the Internet
Temporary Files with a random name and then transferred to the correct
name to another location you specified.
You may have inadvertantly changed the Open With file type or
something for the types of files you are downloading adn thus saving
as .urls for some reason. Renaming the file back to the correct type
may fix it.
Do you use a Download Manager or just IE's File Save As dialog box?

Check file types in Windows Explorer

URL Open = rundll32.exe shdocvw.dll,OpenURL %l

EXE (Should not be listed in the filetypes but in
Regedit under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, it has a
type of application/x-msdownload)

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/