Internet Explorer 11 Change the downloaded file name, replacing all the dots (.) with underscores (_)

internet explorerinternet-explorer-11

Recently I've encounter this problem, each file I try to download with Internet Explorer 11, getting it's name changed automatically, by replacing the dot (.) in the file name to underscore (_). For example if I try to download filename.exe it will be changed to filename_exe.

This problem happen on any file I try to download, and from any website.
I try to do these steps to solve this issue (none of them worked for me):

1. IE >> Internet options >> Security >> Enable Protected Mode >> DISABLE

2. IE >> Internet options >> Security >> (for zones: Internet, Local internet and Trusted sites) >> Custom Level >> Miscellaneous >> Enable MIME Sniffing >> ENABLE

3. IE >> Internet options >> Advanced >> Security >> Do Not save encrypted pages to disk >> DISABLE

4. Restart to Internet Explorer

5. Run Internet Explorer in "No Ad-ons" mode

6. Run Windows update (I'm working on windows 7).

None of the above solve my issue.

Side Note:
In addition I'm working on Virtual Machine (VM) that are running Automation tests. Each Night I run 50 automation tests on 50 VMs. And each Night between 1 to 3 VMs (different ones each night) failed the test that need to download a file, due to this issue. Only after restarting this VMs they return to downloading files.

Best Answer

Disable the "Restrict File Download" policies:

Source: Event 1028 - Automatic Download Blocking

  • Open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc):
  • Expand Computer Configuration and disable any policies under:
    Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Internet Explorer >> Security Features >> Restrict File Download
  • Expand User Configuration and disable any policies under:
    Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Internet Explorer >> Security Features >> Restrict File Download

Also, check the following registry paths for a DWORD value iexplore.exe. Change the value to 0 or delete the value:

  • HKLM >> Software >> Microsoft >>Internet Explorer >> Main >> FeatureControl >> FEATURE_RESTRICT_FILEDOWNLOAD

  • HKCU >> Software >> Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main >> FeatureControl >> FEATURE_RESTRICT_FILEDOWNLOAD

Finally, ensure that the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" setting is not enabled for all users. Add the DWORD value BypassSSLNoCacheCheck and set to 1 under the following registry keys:

  • HKLM >> SOFTWARE >> Microsoft >> Windows >> CurrentVersion >> Internet Settings
  • HKCU >> SOFTWARE >> Microsoft >> Windows >> CurrentVersion >> Internet Settings
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