FileUpload control viewed in IE8 doesn't allow user to enter manual path

Question

I have a page with a FileUpload control. In IE7, it allowed file/directory browsing using either the "Browse" button (which brings up a file directory dialog) or by manually typing in a file path. In IE8, the text box portion of the control seems to be disabled and only allows a file to be specified by finding it with the "Browse" button. This is not a huge problem for users who rarely enter a file path manually, but our QA team relies on manually entering file paths as part of our automated tests. Does anyone know if this can be changed?

UPDATE: This behaviour was added as a security feature in IE8 and cannot be modified. http://www.tomsguide.com/us/internet-explorer-microsoft-security-hackers,news-1858.html

Answer 1

Do you really need it to be changed? You can click the Browse button and then manually enter the file path into the browse dialog - that dialog will accept a full path being typed (or pasted) into it. It's just the same, but with one extra click to show the dialog, and one extra click (or Enter) to OK it.

Answer 2

I don't know if you can force IE8 to allow you to enter a path, but usually with the file chooser, you can type in a path and click open. (I don't have IE8 so I don't know exactly what it looks like)