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My computer won’t download any files. How do I fix this?

It’s frustrating when your computer won’t download any files, but there’s usually an easy fix. Let’s take a look at your Internet Explorer settings and see if we can set your computer up for downloading. The two main areas to focus on are the security settings and Active X controls settings.

Setting Security Settings for Downloading Files

First, open Internet Explorer and go to the Tools menu. Choose Internet Options. Click on the Security tab and then click on the button labeled “Custom.” You should see a lengthy list of settings. Scroll through the list until you come to the Download section. Now look at “File Download.” Is this option set to “Disable”? If so, that’s why your computer won’t download any files. Change this setting to “Enable” and confirm your decision by clicking OK and exiting the Internet Options dialog box. Restart Internet Explorer for the change to take place.

Adjusting ActiveX Controls for Downloads

Another common problem with downloads involves your ActiveX settings. Many download programs require the use of a Web browser add-on known as an ActiveX control. Add-ons and ActiveX controls add additional features to the Web browser such as the ability to download a file. However, if your browser’s security settings are set too high or are actively blocking these controls, your computer won’t be able to download files.

You may have noticed ActiveX options when you were scrolling through the list of security settings earlier. Let’s go back into Internet Options and make a few adjustments to your ActiveX controls. Go to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom and scroll through the settings until you come to ActiveX Controls and Plugins. Make sure that “Download signed ActiveX controls” is set to “Enable” or “Prompt.” Make sure that “Download unsigned ActiveX controls” is disabled. Signed controls are generally considered safe while unsigned ones are questionable.

If your browser is set to prompt you before downloading signed ActiveX controls, when you run into a file requiring an ActiveX control as part of the download process, a small yellow bar will appear just below the browser’s toolbar area prompting you to authorize the download. Once you click the link, the download process will begin.

Can’t download ANY FILES AT ALL. Please advise what to do and HOW to do it.

What’s the Difference between Downloading and Uploading Files?

If you send a file to another computer, you are uploading the file. If you are moving the file from another computer onto your computer, you are downloading it.

User Permissions for Downloading and Uploading Files on Networked Computers

On networked computers, the user permissions are sometimes set up to prevent certain users from downloading anything from the Internet. If you believe this might be the case, then you need to contact the administrator of the network. Likewise, if you share a computer and do not have administrative rights, you may be restricted from downloading files.

Selecting Files to Download

Today, most websites have made it easy to download a file. You simply select the file that you want to download and either click on a live link. The link is usually the name of the file or the word “download.”  Usually, you also get a choice to either save the file or open it. In general, saving the file, scanning it for viruses, and then opening it is the best strategy. However, in order for this to work, a few things need to be in place.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Security Settings

Microsoft Internet Explorer has security settings that disable the ability to download files. This could be the problem, so I think you should check whether downloads have been disabled by following these directions. Open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Security→ Select Internet zone and click Custom Level. At this point, a list of the available security settings for Internet appears. In IE 7, go to the Downloads section and make sure that File Download is marked enabled. In addition, go to “Launching applications and unsafe files.”

If these prompts are disabled, then you will not be able to download any files or launch the related .exe files once downloaded. Instead, enable file downloads and select “Prompt” for the launching applications and unsafe file settings. This setting prompt you with questions such as “Are you sure you want to download this file” or something to that effect. However, it also allows you to download and execute the files that you select.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Enable ActiveX

In order to display and download files from the Web, it is important that ActiveX controls have been enabled. In order to do so, follow these directions: Open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Security→ Select Internet zone. Look for the slider bar and set it to the medium setting to enable downloads from the Web. Make sure that you click “OK” before exiting the window.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: PDF Files

In order to download Portable Document Files or PDFs, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This is a free download that you get simply by visiting the Adobe.com website.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Java

If the files that you want to download offer a prompt that you need to have Java in order to complete the download, you must have Java installed and enabled on your browser. In order to find out how to enable Java with your browser, visit this link to Java’s website for specific instructions by browser: Java.