Discussion:
.docx opens as .zip using IE8
(too old to reply)
Rick E
2009-09-25 18:04:02 UTC
Permalink
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do. Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.

Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?

From other web pages I tired:
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
rob^_^
2009-09-25 20:56:18 UTC
Permalink
Hi Rick,

docx should be associated with Microsoft Office Word, not IE.

Regards.
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do.
Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Robert Aldwinckle
2009-09-25 23:03:06 UTC
Permalink
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do. Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip


HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
---
Rick E
2009-09-28 13:24:01 UTC
Permalink
Thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread. Robert Aldwinckle seems
to best understand the problem. I'll try to answer everyone else's questions:

I know .docx should be associated with Word. Word IS on this laptop,
properly configured and still gets ignored.

I don't necessarily want to use IE to open Word documents. This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have to
use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to work
around it.

I appreciate the explaination & merits of of the docx format but remember
this all works as expected (the docx attachment launched Word) using Firefox
on the same platform. Its an IE8 problem.

Someone else mentioned setting the IE option to 'open base on content rather
than extension' (or however its worded). I tried it enabled and disabled and
the behavior was still the same (this was already listed as something I
tried).

This is an known IE8 problem but I had hopes that by posting the issue here
someone may say, "Hey, use this hotfix" but for now I can simply rename the
file.

Thanks for the feedback.
Post by Robert Aldwinckle
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do. Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip
HTH
Robert Aldwinckle
---
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-09-28 16:35:43 UTC
Permalink
[crosspost to IE General]
...This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
Does this ONLY happen with attachments to your Hotmail messages as viewed
via webmail at http://mail.live.com?

<QP>
The Hotmail team has started rolling out updates to improve your Hotmail
experience...Look for these updates coming to your Hotmail inbox soon:
...and the ability to download all files in a message as a zip file (versus
one by one)
</QP>
Source & more:
http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!41458.entry
Thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread. Robert Aldwinckle seems
I know .docx should be associated with Word. Word IS on this laptop,
properly configured and still gets ignored.
I don't necessarily want to use IE to open Word documents. This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
I appreciate the explaination & merits of of the docx format but remember
this all works as expected (the docx attachment launched Word) using Firefox
on the same platform. Its an IE8 problem.
Someone else mentioned setting the IE option to 'open base on content rather
than extension' (or however its worded). I tried it enabled and disabled
and the behavior was still the same (this was already listed as something
I
tried).
This is an known IE8 problem but I had hopes that by posting the issue here
someone may say, "Hey, use this hotfix" but for now I can simply rename the
file.
Thanks for the feedback.
Post by Robert Aldwinckle
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a
ZIP file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem
with Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming
from adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to
do. Other broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same
laptop
& email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip
HTH
Robert Aldwinckle
---
Robert Aldwinckle
2009-09-28 18:22:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
[crosspost to IE General]
...This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
Does this ONLY happen with attachments to your Hotmail messages as viewed
via webmail at http://mail.live.com?
No. I am plagued by it on Connect downloads too.
For small doc files I should just be able to open them and read them
instead of having to do separate downloads or instead of using the
other workarounds I mentioned.

I don't think the security setting requires a restart so having a cmd file
to toggle it might provide better usability. However, if necessary users could
probably open a new browser instance (e.g. using Run... or the Start menu)
and then be sure that the new settings were active in it.


FYI

Robert
---
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
<QP>
The Hotmail team has started rolling out updates to improve your Hotmail
...and the ability to download all files in a message as a zip file (versus
one by one)
</QP>
http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!41458.entry
Thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread. Robert Aldwinckle seems
I know .docx should be associated with Word. Word IS on this laptop,
properly configured and still gets ignored.
I don't necessarily want to use IE to open Word documents. This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
I appreciate the explaination & merits of of the docx format but remember
this all works as expected (the docx attachment launched Word) using Firefox
on the same platform. Its an IE8 problem.
Someone else mentioned setting the IE option to 'open base on content rather
than extension' (or however its worded). I tried it enabled and disabled
and the behavior was still the same (this was already listed as something
I
tried).
This is an known IE8 problem but I had hopes that by posting the issue here
someone may say, "Hey, use this hotfix" but for now I can simply rename the
file.
Thanks for the feedback.
Post by Robert Aldwinckle
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a
ZIP file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem
with Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming
from adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to
do. Other broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same
laptop
& email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip
HTH
Robert Aldwinckle
---
Rick E
2009-09-28 20:24:04 UTC
Permalink
Thanks for the Hotmail update notice.

To answer your question, no, its not on Hotmail per se but rather a scholl's
online email system. I was using Hotmail as an example to get people to
understand why I would 'want to open Word documents using IE' but the example
seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Thanks for asking.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
[crosspost to IE General]
...This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
Does this ONLY happen with attachments to your Hotmail messages as viewed
via webmail at http://mail.live.com?
<QP>
The Hotmail team has started rolling out updates to improve your Hotmail
....and the ability to download all files in a message as a zip file (versus
one by one)
</QP>
http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!41458.entry
Thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread. Robert Aldwinckle seems
I know .docx should be associated with Word. Word IS on this laptop,
properly configured and still gets ignored.
I don't necessarily want to use IE to open Word documents. This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
I appreciate the explaination & merits of of the docx format but remember
this all works as expected (the docx attachment launched Word) using Firefox
on the same platform. Its an IE8 problem.
Someone else mentioned setting the IE option to 'open base on content rather
than extension' (or however its worded). I tried it enabled and disabled
and the behavior was still the same (this was already listed as something
I
tried).
This is an known IE8 problem but I had hopes that by posting the issue here
someone may say, "Hey, use this hotfix" but for now I can simply rename the
file.
Thanks for the feedback.
Post by Robert Aldwinckle
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a
ZIP file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem
with Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming
from adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to
do. Other broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same
laptop
& email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip
HTH
Robert Aldwinckle
---
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-09-28 21:45:58 UTC
Permalink
Could this new* KB be pertinent to any of you?...

An error occurs after downloading a .ZIP file with Internet Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2002350

===================
* This KB was Partners-Only until 24 Sept-09, suggesting that a fix for the
known-behavior may be included in an upcoming Cumulative Update for IE.
YMMV.
Post by Rick E
Thanks for the Hotmail update notice.
To answer your question, no, its not on Hotmail per se but rather a scholl's
online email system. I was using Hotmail as an example to get people to
understand why I would 'want to open Word documents using IE' but the
example seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Thanks for asking.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
[crosspost to IE General]
...This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
Does this ONLY happen with attachments to your Hotmail messages as viewed
via webmail at http://mail.live.com?
<QP>
The Hotmail team has started rolling out updates to improve your Hotmail
....and the ability to download all files in a message as a zip file
(versus one by one)
</QP>
http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!41458.entry
Thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread. Robert Aldwinckle seems
I know .docx should be associated with Word. Word IS on this laptop,
properly configured and still gets ignored.
I don't necessarily want to use IE to open Word documents. This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
I appreciate the explaination & merits of of the docx format but remember
this all works as expected (the docx attachment launched Word) using Firefox
on the same platform. Its an IE8 problem.
Someone else mentioned setting the IE option to 'open base on content rather
than extension' (or however its worded). I tried it enabled and disabled
and the behavior was still the same (this was already listed as something
I
tried).
This is an known IE8 problem but I had hopes that by posting the issue here
someone may say, "Hey, use this hotfix" but for now I can simply rename the
file.
Thanks for the feedback.
Post by Robert Aldwinckle
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a
ZIP file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem
with Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming
from adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to
do. Other broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same
laptop
& email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip
HTH
Robert Aldwinckle
---
Rick E
2009-09-29 12:54:13 UTC
Permalink
Thanks PA Bear. I'll give it a try tonight (love the alias).
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Could this new* KB be pertinent to any of you?...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2002350
===================
* This KB was Partners-Only until 24 Sept-09, suggesting that a fix for the
known-behavior may be included in an upcoming Cumulative Update for IE.
YMMV.
Post by Rick E
Thanks for the Hotmail update notice.
To answer your question, no, its not on Hotmail per se but rather a scholl's
online email system. I was using Hotmail as an example to get people to
understand why I would 'want to open Word documents using IE' but the
example seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Thanks for asking.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
[crosspost to IE General]
...This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
Does this ONLY happen with attachments to your Hotmail messages as viewed
via webmail at http://mail.live.com?
<QP>
The Hotmail team has started rolling out updates to improve your Hotmail
....and the ability to download all files in a message as a zip file
(versus one by one)
</QP>
http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!41458.entry
Thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread. Robert Aldwinckle seems
I know .docx should be associated with Word. Word IS on this laptop,
properly configured and still gets ignored.
I don't necessarily want to use IE to open Word documents. This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
I appreciate the explaination & merits of of the docx format but remember
this all works as expected (the docx attachment launched Word) using Firefox
on the same platform. Its an IE8 problem.
Someone else mentioned setting the IE option to 'open base on content rather
than extension' (or however its worded). I tried it enabled and disabled
and the behavior was still the same (this was already listed as something
I
tried).
This is an known IE8 problem but I had hopes that by posting the issue here
someone may say, "Hey, use this hotfix" but for now I can simply rename the
file.
Thanks for the feedback.
Post by Robert Aldwinckle
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a
ZIP file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem
with Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming
from adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to
do. Other broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same
laptop
& email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip
HTH
Robert Aldwinckle
---
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-09-30 17:36:56 UTC
Permalink
Unless you have Admin privileges on the mail server (which I assume you do
not), I don't think it'll help you.
Post by Rick E
Thanks PA Bear. I'll give it a try tonight (love the alias).
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Could this new* KB be pertinent to any of you?...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2002350
===================
* This KB was Partners-Only until 24 Sept-09, suggesting that a fix for the
known-behavior may be included in an upcoming Cumulative Update for IE.
YMMV.
Post by Rick E
Thanks for the Hotmail update notice.
To answer your question, no, its not on Hotmail per se but rather a scholl's
online email system. I was using Hotmail as an example to get people to
understand why I would 'want to open Word documents using IE' but the
example seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Thanks for asking.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
[crosspost to IE General]
...This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
Does this ONLY happen with attachments to your Hotmail messages as viewed
via webmail at http://mail.live.com?
<QP>
The Hotmail team has started rolling out updates to improve your Hotmail
....and the ability to download all files in a message as a zip file
(versus one by one)
</QP>
http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!41458.entry
Thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread. Robert Aldwinckle seems
I know .docx should be associated with Word. Word IS on this laptop,
properly configured and still gets ignored.
I don't necessarily want to use IE to open Word documents. This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
I appreciate the explaination & merits of of the docx format but remember
this all works as expected (the docx attachment launched Word) using Firefox
on the same platform. Its an IE8 problem.
Someone else mentioned setting the IE option to 'open base on content rather
than extension' (or however its worded). I tried it enabled and disabled
and the behavior was still the same (this was already listed as something
I
tried).
This is an known IE8 problem but I had hopes that by posting the issue here
someone may say, "Hey, use this hotfix" but for now I can simply
rename
the
file.
Thanks for the feedback.
Post by Robert Aldwinckle
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using
IE8
on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls
it
a
ZIP file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem
with Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming
from adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to
do. Other broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same
laptop
& email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip
HTH
Robert Aldwinckle
---
Rick E
2009-10-05 14:04:04 UTC
Permalink
Oh, I didn't understand on the initial read that this was a server-side fix.
You are right in assuming I don't have these perms but I'll pass it on the
webmaster (so it can be ignored).

Thanks for the idea.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Unless you have Admin privileges on the mail server (which I assume you do
not), I don't think it'll help you.
Post by Rick E
Thanks PA Bear. I'll give it a try tonight (love the alias).
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Could this new* KB be pertinent to any of you?...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2002350
===================
* This KB was Partners-Only until 24 Sept-09, suggesting that a fix for the
known-behavior may be included in an upcoming Cumulative Update for IE.
YMMV.
Post by Rick E
Thanks for the Hotmail update notice.
To answer your question, no, its not on Hotmail per se but rather a scholl's
online email system. I was using Hotmail as an example to get people to
understand why I would 'want to open Word documents using IE' but the
example seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Thanks for asking.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
[crosspost to IE General]
...This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
Does this ONLY happen with attachments to your Hotmail messages as viewed
via webmail at http://mail.live.com?
<QP>
The Hotmail team has started rolling out updates to improve your Hotmail
....and the ability to download all files in a message as a zip file
(versus one by one)
</QP>
http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!41458.entry
Thanks to everyone who has replied in this thread. Robert Aldwinckle seems
I know .docx should be associated with Word. Word IS on this laptop,
properly configured and still gets ignored.
I don't necessarily want to use IE to open Word documents. This occurs when
using a web-based email system (like Hotmail/mail.live.com) which you have
to use IE to read, follow? If the email has a file attached with a docx
extension the laptop erroneously calls it a ZIP file, then you have to
work around it.
I appreciate the explaination & merits of of the docx format but remember
this all works as expected (the docx attachment launched Word) using Firefox
on the same platform. Its an IE8 problem.
Someone else mentioned setting the IE option to 'open base on content rather
than extension' (or however its worded). I tried it enabled and disabled
and the behavior was still the same (this was already listed as something
I
tried).
This is an known IE8 problem but I had hopes that by posting the issue here
someone may say, "Hey, use this hotfix" but for now I can simply
rename
the
file.
Thanks for the feedback.
Post by Robert Aldwinckle
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using
IE8
on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls
it
a
ZIP file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem
with Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming
from adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to
do. Other broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same
laptop
& email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Then are you sure you changed the option in the right zone?
I think it is a feasible workaround. Another one is renaming
the .zip extension to .docx in the TIF (after it is downloaded).
I had to use a cmd window to do that though because otherwise
Vista's Windows Explorer perversely renamed it to *.docx.zip
HTH
Robert Aldwinckle
---
VanguardLH
2009-09-28 18:15:52 UTC
Permalink
.doc files cannot be displayed within the body of an e-mail. .doc[x]
files are not HTML files. They would have to be attachments. You would
have to "follow" by opening or saving the attachment. In Hotmail's
webmail client UI, you click on the attachment and are asked if you want
to open or save the file. Opening the file merely means to download a
temp copy and then using whatever application is associated with the
filetype (or content type). Since you have Word installed, clicking on
the attachment in the webmail client and selecting Open should have
opened that temp copy of the downloaded document into Word, not as some
scrambled mess in IE8.

Something is screwy in your setup. I just sent an e-mail to myself that
had an attached .docx file. I had to go find one since I'm still using
Office XP but have installed the compatibility pack that provide support
for .docx format. If I open that .docx file with a zip utility, yep, it
is a zip archive. When I went into Hotmail's webmail client and clicked
on the .docx attachment in the test e-mail, my choices were to Open or
Save (or Cancel). If saving, obviously I could rename the file to
anything I want and would be opening the file based on its filetype
association (to Word). So I'll assume you clicked on Open.

When I clicked on Open, a temp copy got downloaded so it could be loaded
into Word. The .docx file did not open in Windows Explorer as a .zip
archive folder. It opened in Word. I do have the option "Open files
based on content, not on filetype" enabled in my Internet zone yet that
.docx attachment, when I selected Open, loaded up okay in Word.

Seems like something else is interfering with the opening of .docx files
when downloaded through IE. Have you tried running IE8 in its no
add-ons mode to make sure some add-on isn't altering the behavior of IE?
If that doesn't help, reboot into Windows's Safe Mode (with networking)
and retest.

What zip archival utility did you install, or did you not install any
and are just using the zipfldr.dll support included in Windows? I'm
using 7-Zip and it doesn't interfere with opening .docx files via links
from web pages (i.e., downloading and opening them in Word). Something
is affected IE8's ability to pass the document to the appropriate
filetype handler. If the filetype association defined in Windows gets
used then the .docx file opens in Word (and perhaps why you see it
working in FF since it downloads the file and then uses whatever
filetype handler is defined in Windows). It almost seems that you have
something installed in IE8 that intercepts the download and it handles
the zip file (which is what is a docx file) before or instead of giving
it to the filetype associated handler defined in Windows.

Under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.docx, what is the value for "Content Type"? Is
it the following?

application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

Under the PropertyHandler subkey, what is the class ID of the handler?
Is it "{993BE281-6695-4BA5-8A2A-7AACBFAAB69E}"? The handler for that
class ID is defined under:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{993BE281-6695-4BA5-8A2A-7AACBFAAB69E}

Is the InprocServer32 pointing at the following file?

C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE12\msoshext.dll
(which is "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Office12)

I'm still using Office XP whose files are under ...\Office 10\... but
the compatibility pack that installed the docx filetype handler are
Office 12 (Office 2007) files.
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-09-25 23:17:32 UTC
Permalink
Why would you open a saved DOCX file in IE when Word 2007 is installed?
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do.
Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
VanguardLH
2009-09-26 04:34:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do. Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Because IE looks at the *content* of the file rather than at its
extension (which could be a lie or error) to determine the actual
filetype. .docx files ARE .zip files. If you don't want IE looking at
the content of the file to determine its true filetype and rely merely
on whatever extension the source claims is correct, you can disable the
"Open files based on content, not file extension" security option in IE.


<general response to docx inquiries - not all may apply to you>

docx is yet another new Microsoft properietary document format that
showed up in their Word 2007 that isn't even compatible with prior
versions of Word. Don't save in .docx format. Save in the older .doc
Microsoft proprietary format that everyone can understand (which
includes Microsoft products before Office 2007). You have the choice of
saving in doc or docx format for your own files. Alternatively, and
when receiving docx files, install Microsoft's "Office Compatibility
Pack for 2007 Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats". That
let YOU read .docx files (if you don't have Word 2007). You can't
guarantee that anyone else has that utility installed to read your .docx
files or that they even use Word to read a .docx file (since lots of
non-Microsoft products can read the older .doc format).

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA100444731033.aspx?pid=CH100626291033
http://office.microsoft.com/search/redir.aspx?AssetID=DC101298101033&CTT=5&Origin=HA100444731033

.docx is an XML-formatted document that is then compressed (using the
.zip algorithm) into a smaller file. That is probably why it appears as
a .zip file by any application that looks inside the file (to determine
filetype by *content*) rather than rely on its filetype (the filename's
extension).

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA100069351033.aspx
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA100444731033.aspx?pid=CH100626291033
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA102406831033.aspx?pid=CH101778931033

Don't use a document format that you or your recipients cannot decipher.
If you get a docx file for which you don't have Word 2007 to read it or
have the Compatibility Pack installed then complain to the sender to
resend the file in a usable file format.
bajr
2010-01-21 10:09:02 UTC
Permalink
docx is not a proprietary format, it's an open ISO standard.

Furthermore, all users in this instance already have Office 2007, so they
don't need the compatibility pack for older versions.

I also have this problem and would appreciate a solution. Based on Googling,
it would appear that this problem was caused by the installation of WinZip 12
(which is on this computer). I'm using XP, IE8 and Office 2007. Have tried
all steps listed by the first post.

Symptom: When downloading any .docx , .xlsx and presumably pptx file, the
document is saved as "docname.zip", rather than "docname.xlsx".

Bad Work-around: Rename file extension back to .xslx then open file

Good Work-around: Cannot find anywhere after extensive Googling as of
20/1/2010
Post by VanguardLH
docx is yet another new Microsoft properietary document format that
showed up in their Word 2007 that isn't even compatible with prior
versions of Word
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2010-01-21 17:39:32 UTC
Permalink
Repost:

The problem is on the server and involves compression as well as ISA
(Internet Security Acceleration). See this related discussion:
http://www.smallbizserver.net/Forums/tabid/53/view/topic/postid/110538/Default.aspx

Non-subscribers can try Google's cache of the above thread:
http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:GR2-3WtllHAJ:www.smallbizserver.net/Forums/tabid/53/view/topic/postid/110538/Default.aspx+smallbizserver.net/Forums/tabid/53/view/topic/postid/110538/Default.aspx&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Post by bajr
docx is not a proprietary format, it's an open ISO standard.
Furthermore, all users in this instance already have Office 2007, so they
don't need the compatibility pack for older versions.
I also have this problem and would appreciate a solution. Based on Googling,
it would appear that this problem was caused by the installation of WinZip
12 (which is on this computer). I'm using XP, IE8 and Office 2007. Have
tried all steps listed by the first post.
Symptom: When downloading any .docx , .xlsx and presumably pptx file, the
document is saved as "docname.zip", rather than "docname.xlsx".
Bad Work-around: Rename file extension back to .xslx then open file
Good Work-around: Cannot find anywhere after extensive Googling as of
20/1/2010
Post by VanguardLH
docx is yet another new Microsoft properietary document format that
showed up in their Word 2007 that isn't even compatible with prior
versions of Word
Robert Aldwinckle
2010-01-21 20:48:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by bajr
Good Work-around: Cannot find anywhere after extensive Googling as of
20/1/2010
How are you searching? ; ]


Try using the Security settings override (aka disable MIME sniffing)

[disable] Open files based on content, not file extension

in Miscellaneous section; so doubleclick on Internet zone icon
then press Alt-C M O D Space to toggle that option on or off


Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
---
pthibo85
2010-01-27 19:39:02 UTC
Permalink
You got two choice to fix this:
1- Add your website in the Trusted Sites in your IE8 security tab

2- Lower the security from Medium-High to medium

I still don't know why it does this but this his the work around at this
point ill keep searching for you guys
Post by bajr
docx is not a proprietary format, it's an open ISO standard.
Furthermore, all users in this instance already have Office 2007, so they
don't need the compatibility pack for older versions.
I also have this problem and would appreciate a solution. Based on Googling,
it would appear that this problem was caused by the installation of WinZip 12
(which is on this computer). I'm using XP, IE8 and Office 2007. Have tried
all steps listed by the first post.
Symptom: When downloading any .docx , .xlsx and presumably pptx file, the
document is saved as "docname.zip", rather than "docname.xlsx".
Bad Work-around: Rename file extension back to .xslx then open file
Good Work-around: Cannot find anywhere after extensive Googling as of
20/1/2010
Post by VanguardLH
docx is yet another new Microsoft properietary document format that
showed up in their Word 2007 that isn't even compatible with prior
versions of Word
ChristineMon
2009-10-20 17:48:01 UTC
Permalink
This is sort of a quick fix, only not a solution I would settle with on a
long term, but here goes:
When you download the file, "save as" instead of "open", choose the right
destination and click on save as "all files" instead of .zip something file
(this option is under the filename. When you have selected "all files" write
.docx after the filename (if it is a word doc, pptx if it is a powerpoint
etc.). That fixed it for me! I had the same problem!
-though I'm still not satisfied with this solution, since it's a pain in the
a** having to do this everytime!
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do. Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
Dusty14
2009-11-06 23:13:01 UTC
Permalink
This solutions works but is a pain, especially if you frequently have to
download large numbers of docx files through a form interface. It is truly
perverse that a browser by Microsoft cannot recognize Microsoft Office files,
and you have to wonder how little internal communication there must be within
Microsoft for no one to have fixed this after so long. In the mean time,
I've found a better solution: Firefox properly recognizes MS Office files.
Post by ChristineMon
This is sort of a quick fix, only not a solution I would settle with on a
When you download the file, "save as" instead of "open", choose the right
destination and click on save as "all files" instead of .zip something file
(this option is under the filename. When you have selected "all files" write
.docx after the filename (if it is a word doc, pptx if it is a powerpoint
etc.). That fixed it for me! I had the same problem!
-though I'm still not satisfied with this solution, since it's a pain in the
a** having to do this everytime!
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do. Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
AngieP
2009-10-23 14:06:03 UTC
Permalink
Rick,
I had the same problem, my .docx files kept converting to zip files when
using web mail on IE8. If you go under tools, manage add-ons, click on xml
dom document, click more information, remove the * from the sites list, then
disable the xml dom document 3.0, close out IE8, reopen it and then re-enable
it your problem should be fixed. This is how I fixed it for mine. After I did
this I did get allow active x control bar pop up, I clicked allow and it
straightened it out and now no more zip files when I receive .docx files or
.ppx files. Hope this helps, it did fix my problem.
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do. Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
DeckerT
2009-12-15 01:12:01 UTC
Permalink
Rick,

I experienced the same problem. My solution was to open Word then tell Word
to open the downloaded file. For fun and out of frustration I pointed to the
zip file and whola, to my surprise it opened just fine. Good luck. FYI I am
running Office 2007.

Tim D
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do. Other
broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop & email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-12-15 07:53:51 UTC
Permalink
The problem is on the server and involves compression as well as ISA
(Internet Security Acceleration). See this related discussion:
http://www.smallbizserver.net/Forums/tabid/53/view/topic/postid/110538/Default.aspx
Post by DeckerT
Rick,
I experienced the same problem. My solution was to open Word then tell Word
to open the downloaded file. For fun and out of frustration I pointed to the
zip file and whola, to my surprise it opened just fine. Good luck. FYI I am
running Office 2007.
Tim D
Post by Rick E
When I open a saved .docx file from an online mail provider using IE8 on
Vista Home Premium the dialog box prompting to save the file calls it a ZIP
file. Looking around the Internet this seems to be a known problem with
Office 2007 files (which we have loaded) the only real fixes coming from
adding code to the web page, something I'm unlikely to be able to do.
Other broswers (Firefox) do not make this mistake on the same laptop &
email site.
Does anyone know of any other possible fixes?
Confirming the .docx file assocoaition in Windows Explorer
Confirmed the .docx program association in IE
Set the IE8 security setting to "open based on content rather than
extensive" to disabled
Added the mail URL to the trusted sites list in IE.
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