Fix: Cannot download a file from the Internet

If you cannot download a file from the Internet or save or run it using Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera or other browsers on Windows 8 | 7; that is, when you click a link to download a file, nothing happens, or the Save As dialog box appears and quickly disappears, then this post may be able to help you.

Internet Explorer uses the Attachment Manager to protect you against unsafe attachments and Internet downloads by identifying the file type and the respective security settings. Sometimes, due to some reasons you may be just disallowed from downloading any files from the Internet. The causes could be varied.

Cannot download a file from the Internet

Here are a few steps you may want to try – in any order – to identify, troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

1] Check your Internet connection and ensure that it is in working condition.

2] Clear Internet Cache, Temporary Files, Cookies, History, etc, using Disk Cleanup tool, CCleaner or the built-in browser UI, restart your computer and try again.

3] Choose a different download location and see if that helps. Maybe your download folder has become corrupted or has some other problem.

4] Do not use the default name for saving the fie. Save it as a different file-type and/or choose a different name and see if this helps

5] If you are using a Download Manager, disable it and see if that works for you.

6] If you are very sure that the file is safe, disable Firewall and or your antivirus or security software temporarily and see if the download works.

7] Ensure File downloads are allowed.

Run inetcpl.cpl to open Internet Options and click the Security tab. Select the Internet zone and click on the Custom level button.

In Security Settings, scroll down to Downloads. Set File download to Enable. Scroll down a bit more and you will see Miscellaneous. Here make sure that Launching applications and unsafe files is set to Prompt (recommended). Click Apply/OK and Exit.

If this does not help, you can reset Internet Security settings by clicking on Reset all zones to defaultlevel under Security tab.

8] To download files, Internet Explorer needs to create a  temporary cache file. In Internet Explorer, if the file is delivered over HTTPS, if response headers are set to prevent caching, and if the Do not save encrypted pages to disk option is set, a cache file is not created. In such a case, the download may fail with message Internet Explorer Cannot Download orFile couldn’t be downloaded.

Uncheck this option temporarily and see if it helps. You will get this setting under Internet Options > Advanced tab > Settings.

9] Most browsers launch your antivirus program to scan files when they finish downloading. While NOT advisable, youmay temporarily disable this scanning feature via your browser settings, if you are sure that the file to be downloaded is safe.. You can also disable antivirus scanning of your downloaded files by editing the Windows Registry. To do this, Run regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments

If you do not see the Attachments subkey, create it by right-clicking Policies > New > Key > Type Attachments as the key name. Next, right click Attachments > select New > DWORD (32-bit). Give Value Name as ScanWithAntiVirus and give it a value 1.

ScanWithAntiVirus registry key values are:

• 1: Will ‘Off’ or disable the scan
• 2: Optional scan
• 3: Will enable the virus scan right after you completely open or save the program or file.

10] Finally – if nothing works, the only option that is left to try is to reset browser settings to default. 

Do note that some of the steps mentioned above may make your computer less secure. So carry them out only if you are very sure, that the file you are planning to download is safe. Once your work is done, remember to change the settings back.