# Help needed. Can't download files. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 8, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cant-download-files/147298 "2003-01-08T14:10:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cant-download-files/147298/1 "2003-01-08T14:10:13Z")
I have a 3 year old PC running Windows 98. I use Internet Explorer. Lately, whenever I try to download a file all I get is a broken Quicktime Logo. I have tried searching google for others with this problem, to no avail. Can somebody help? ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cant-download-files/147298/2 "2003-01-08T14:48:46Z")
Does it only happen when you try and download one type of file? (I’m thinking of zip files as an example) If yes, then it may be that your file associations are a bit wonky. In other words, Windows 98 thinks that you open a zip file with Quicktime Player, but obviously when it tries it fails. If that is the case, you can just change the file associations. In Explorer, head for “Tools” \> “Folder Options” \> “File Types” tab. Scroll down to ZIP and hit “Change”. When the list of programs appears, select WinZip (or whatever zip program you use). If it’s happening across all file types, I’m afraid that won’t be much help. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cant-download-files/147298/3 "2003-01-08T14:56:05Z")
**Crusoe** , thanks for responding so quickly. It appears to be all types. The most recent one I wasn’t able to download at home, so I did it at work. It wasn’t a zip file. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cant-download-files/147298/4 "2003-01-08T15:08:59Z")
Aha! [How about this](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;312455): > [@](#): > > **QuickTime Starts Every Time You Attempt to Download an Executable File** > > The information in this article applies to: > – Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition > – Microsoft Windows 98 > > This article was previously published under Q312455 > > **IMPORTANT** : This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. > > … > > SYMPTOMS > > When you use Microsoft Internet Explorer to download files from the Internet, QuickTime may start each time that you attempt to download an .exe file and that the File Download dialog box does not open. As a result, you cannot download the file. > > CAUSE > > This behavior may occur if an incorrect file association exists for the QuickTime program due to the presence of the following registry entry: > > HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Plugins\Extension.exe > > RESOLUTION > > To resolve this issue, remove the HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Plugins\Extension.exe registry entry. To do this, follow these steps: > > **WARNING** : If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. > > 1. Click Start, and then click Run. > 2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK. > 3. Locate the following registry entry: > > HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Plugins\Extension.exe > > 1. Right-click the entry that you located in step 3, and then click Delete. > 2. Click Yes to confirm the deletion of this entry. > 3. Quit Registry Editor. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-needed-cant-download-files/147298/5 "2003-01-08T15:34:55Z")
Thanks **Crusoe** , I will try that when I get home tonight. It appears as if Explorer is trying to open the file rather than download it.