Sending an end-user a reg file isn't an option. First, end users don't understand what a reg file does and they don't even understand how to handle email attachments. Sending them a .reg file via email will set of all sorts of alarms. In addition, the fix is different depending on the version of Windows and whether is it 32 bit or 64 bit. No, this is something Microsoft needs to fix on all computer via Windows update (for sure).Thank You! - Andy

Why do you say that Internet Explorer "no longer supports ftp folders...)? I am using IE9 on 64-bit Windows 7 and I have no problem with FTP links and folders in Internet Explorer.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Unless there is a recent change (IE9) that I don't know about, since IE7, when you click an ftp link (e.g. ftp://my.ftp.server.address) Internet explorer would open but could not display the contents of the folder. You had to click the 'open ftp folder' on the tools menu which would then start Windows Explorer so you could manage the content (copy/paste/delete files). In the end, it was Windows Explorer you used to access the content, not internet explorer. Thank You! - Andy

The following opens in my IE9 without a problem: ftp://dd-wrt.com/others/eko/ I know what you are referring to about FTP in Windows Explorer, but I was never aware it was a default action. I used to use Windows Explorer to access my web site via FTP and liked being able to move files as though it were a mapped drive.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Oh great. So now Microsoft has added menial IE support to view/download files from an FTP folder (far less that what IE 6 did) so now it is acceptable to open IE by default? Not at all helpful! The difference in functionality between IE and Windows Explorer is not trivial. There is no way the limited support in IE is a reason to bring up IE by default rather then Windows Explorer by default. At minimum, there has to be a user accessible option to determine which will be used if Microsoft is going to insist that IE is a viable option for some. The link in IE that reads: To view this FTP site in Windows Explorer: press Alt, click View, and then click Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer. also is limited in that if the ftp link contained a user and password, it isn't passed along to Windows Explorer so the transfer doesn't work. Thank You! - Andy

My application generates an email message with an ftp link. I want the ftp folder to open when the user clicks the link. When the ftp link is clicked, internet explorer opens which is a problem because internet explorer no longer supports ftp folders (it hasn't since IE7 when support for ftp folders was moved to Windows Explorer). I know how to tweak the registry to correct the problem. However, telling each new user how to do this is a support nightmare. I really don't understand why Microsoft hasn't fixed this problem yet (because it can be fixed) via Windows Update. Anyone know when this issue will be resolved? It has been happening for at least 4 years. This problem happens on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 (all versions) Thank You!Thank You! - Andy

1. You can send users the tweek in the form .reg file. 2. There are alternatives, namely by scripting the ftp. One script contains ftp -s:file , where file is an answer file that opens connection, authenticates, set binary if it is needed, executes get or mget and closes the connection. (Recently I use an alternative containing WinSCP and secure transfer was using certificate. ) Regards Milos

Not true. If Windows Explorer were to be started when the ftp link is clicked, the user and password will be passed on and works perfectly. The problem is (again) that IE is started rather than Windows Explorer. IE does not pass the username and password along to Windows Explorer, but that is a secondary problem that would not exist if the correct program were started to begin with.Thank You! - Andy

Hi, I think it is by design that Windows Explorer cannot get an FTP link contained an user and password. If you have any inconvenience or suggestion , please submit your feedback to our Product Feedback Team : http://mymfe.microsoft.com/Windows%20%207/Feedback.aspx?formID=195Juke Chou TechNet Community Support