How do I configure IE7 to download filetype instead of opening in browser

Question

I have written a watir script that downloads files. One of the files it downloads has a .dcf extension. Months ago, on my machine, I changed a setting somewhere so that .dcf files prompt for download ("Do you want to open or save this file?") instead of opening in the browser. This is the behavior that I desire. I am using XP Pro/IE7.

I'm now setting up a dedicated test machine, but cannot seem to find the configuration option that I did on my machine - which was so easy to find that I didn't make note of it. All of the solutions that I am finding now are either about changing the download itself or modifying the registry. I am looking for something from the client perspective at the browser/IE level.

Answer 1

instructions here:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/06/15/disable-automatic-opening-or-saving-of-downloads-re-enable-always-ask-before-check-box/

Answer 2

For PHP, try using these headers:

header("Content-Type: application/force-download");

header("Content-Type: application/octet-stream");

header("Content-Type: application/download");

header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=".basename($filename).";");

Naturally you can make use of the same headers in whatever language you are using.

Answer 3

tloach's link provided direction towards the answer I needed:

1. I needed to open a windows explorer window and select Folder Options... from the Tools menu.
2. I needed to go to the File Types tab and locate the extension for which I wanted to change behavior.
3. I needed to have the Advanced button for the file type - it isn't always there.
4. The Confirm open after download checkbox needs to be checked (not cleared)
5. There need to be Actions - there aren't always. I found that one called edit and another called open were enough. I tied them to notepad (C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1). I also needed to check the Use DDE checkbox and fill in NOTEPAD for Application: and System for Topic:

Hopefully this will help others. It will likely help me the next time.