Cannot Download an Open Document Format File wiht IE -- Win XP ProSP2

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pete Holsberg
  • Start date Start date
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Pete Holsberg

Open Document Format files (.ODT) are actually ZIP archives that include several files.

Under Windows XP Pro (but not Home Edition) SP2. Internet Explorer delves into the contents and decides that an ODT is is a ZIP file and RENAMES IT!! So if you tell it to download what you thought was myfile.odt, you get myfile.zip on your PC!

I found the entry under Internet Options > Security > Internet > Custom Level "Open files based on contents, not on file extension", but when I disabled that and clicked on a URL that ended in, say, myfile.odt, it opened the file rather than downloading it.

Is there a way to tell Windows/IE to not do that with Open Document Files?

Thanks.
 
This is because .odt files are compatible with OpenOffice, so it's no
surprise that Windows doesn't like it. lol You have three options. When you
have the Save As dialog box open, either choose to save as a .doc or type
"filename.doc" WITH the quotation marks (this prevents IE from adding an
additional hidden extension of .zip). You can change browsers to Firefox
(which does recognize .odt) ( http://www.mozilla.com ).
 
jdcarrona said:
This is because .odt files are compatible with OpenOffice, so it's no
surprise that Windows doesn't like it. lol You have three options. When you
have the Save As dialog box open,
Click to expand...

There is no Save As dialog box on the download.
either choose to save as a .doc or type
"filename.doc" WITH the quotation marks (this prevents IE from adding an
additional hidden extension of .zip).
Click to expand...

No opportunity to tyoe anything!
You can change browsers to Firefox
(which does recognize .odt) ( http://www.mozilla.com ).
Click to expand...

Very difficult to get people to change browsers.

Thanks.
 
jdcarrona said:
This is because .odt files are compatible with OpenOffice, so it's no
surprise that Windows doesn't like it. lol You have three options. When you
have the Save As dialog box open, either choose to save as a .doc or type
"filename.doc" WITH the quotation marks (this prevents IE from adding an
additional hidden extension of .zip). You can change browsers to Firefox
(which does recognize .odt) ( http://www.mozilla.com ).
Click to expand...

Before the Save As, you have to click on Save.

I was able to change the filename from xxxx.zip to xxxx.odt without quotes even though the File Type was ZIP.

Thanks.
 
This is so annoying, is Microsoft going to do anything about it?

I don't really mind myself, I've switched to FF a long time ago, but my
organisation is still using IE. Is this another plot to force organisations
to stick to IE/MSO or what? This is so typical of another lock-in strategy,
unless this is an unfortunate circumstance, but then I would need a planned
fix date to be convinced...
 
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