stopping the browser from launching a word doc

Hi Guys,

This isnt strictly a TS query, but im sure some one must have come across this.

I have a need to force the web browser to download a MSWord .doc file rather than launching in the browser.

Is there anyway to override the browsers behaviour?

I tried changing the mime type in the web server for .doc files from application/msword to
application/octet-stream
then to
other/binary

neither worked.

John
Sydney, Australia

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akshathp

I did this for one project.
Steps:
1. Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> FOlder Options
2. Click on the tab for "File Types". This will take few seconds to gather your system information with list of file extensions.
3. select the "doc" extension
4. Click the button "Advanced"
5. Check the checkbox for "Confirm Open after Download"

This enables browsers to first prompt for save or open the file from location. And once it is downloaded only then will it proceed.

Hope this helps!

Akshat Pramod Sharma
Interwoven Inc.

Johnny

Thanks Akshat,

Im aware you can configure the desktop, but thats a problem when we want this to be effective on the internet site.

John
Sydney, Australia

Adam Stoller

I tend to use a product called GetRight on my laptop, and you can configure the extensions that it looks at for downloading. Once set, by default it will try to download those files - however you can override that default behavior (to get the old default behavior) by holding down the Shift key when clicking on the link.

GetRight is shareware - use at your own risk.

--fish
(Interwoven Senior Technical Consultant)

akshathp

I suggested changing windows setting for his machine but it seems he is seeking for a global download policy on his site rather then any client side setup. This is what I understood out of the reply I got for my post.

Or, is it really the client side setup that needs to be configured? If that is the case, then I have already given the steps for Windows OS.

Hope this helps!

Akshat Pramod Sharma
Interwoven Inc.

Johnny

Thanks for your help guys.

You're right Akshat, Im after a global download solution.
Just trying to see if its possible, but at the end of the day its upto the client agent. Changing the mime types on the server didnt phase MSIE, it still does what it wants with MS Products... surprise surpirse!!

cheers

John
Sydney, Australia