Re-enable Always Ask Before Opening this Type of File Check Box in Windows

It takes a little work in Windows 7 or Vista

Sometimes, when you download a file from the internet, aFile Downloaddialog box displays, asking whether you want to open the file or save the file to disk. There is a check box on this dialog box, calledAlways ask before opening this type of file, on the dialog box. If you don’t want to see theFile Downloaddialog box when you download a file, you can unselect the check box.

However, if you unselect the check box, the next time you download a file, it will be automatically downloaded and then the action you last selected on theFile Downloaddialog box (open or save) will automatically be performed. Since theFile Downloaddialog box no longer displays, you cannot turn on theAlways ask before opening this type of filecheck box.

In Windows XP, there is a simple way to turn on this check box again. In Windows 7 and Vista, there is no longer an option to reset or change this behavior using the usual graphical interface. You have to use edit the registry to change the option. We will show you both methods.

Windows XP

To turn on theAlways ask before opening this type of filecheck box on theFile Downloaddialog box in Windows XP, openMy ComputerorWindows Explorerand selectFolder Optionsfrom theToolsmenu. You can also accessFolder Optionsin theControl Panel.

TheFolder Optionsdialog box displays. Click theFile Typestab. Find the file type in theRegistered file typeslist for which you want to revert to the defaultFile Downloadbehavior (theFile Downloaddialog box will be displayed for the selected file type). Click theAdvancedbutton.

NOTE:You must be logged into an account with Administrator privileges to make any changes on this tab. TheNew,Delete,Change, andAdvancedbuttons are not available in limited user accounts.

TheEdit File Typedialog box displays. Select theConfirm open after downloadcheck box so there is NO check mark in the box. ClickOK.

You are returned to theFolder Optionsdialog box. ClickCloseto close it.

Windows 7 and Vista

In Windows 7 and Vista, you must remove some value data items from a specific key to turn on theAlways ask before opening this type of filecheck box again.

NOTE:We recommend that you backup the registry before making changes to it.

To open the Registry Editor, open theStartmenu and enter “regedit” (without the quotes) in theSearch programs and filesbox. Click theregedit.exelink that displays in the results or pressEnter, if theregedit.exelink is highlighted automatically.

If theUser Account Controldialog box displays, clickYesto continue.

NOTE:You may not see this dialog box, depending on yourUser Account Controlsettings.

The Registry Editor displays. Navigate to the following key:

There will be at least one key with a long string of numbers under theAttachmentExecutekey. The key pictured in the image below, {FF55E06F-EB92-4CF5-AE8C-35F4B839C7CB}, was added because we turned off theAlways ask before opening this type of filecheck box on theFile Downloaddialog box while downloading a file in Apple’s Safari browser.

If you turned off theAlways ask before opening this type of filecheck box on theFile Downloaddialog box while downloading a file in Internet Explorer, you will see {0002DF01-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} as a key under theAttachmentExecutekey.

Select one of the keys under theAttachmentExecutekey. The right pane contains a(Default)value plus values for each of the file types for which you turned off theAlways ask before opening this type of filecheck box.

Right-click on the file type (elg.,.zip) for which you want to turn theAlways ask before opening this type of filecheck box back on and selectDeletefrom the popup menu. This sets theFile Downloaddialog box and theAlways ask before opening this type of filecheck box back to the default setting when downloading files of the type you deleted.

TheConfirm Value Deletedialog box displays to make sure you really want to permanently want to delete the value. ClickYes.

Close the Registry Editor by selectingExitfrom theFilemenu.

Now that you can reset this option on theFile Downloaddialog box, you don’t have to worry about turning it off sometimes. It is fairly simple to turn it on again. Enjoy!

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

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