Information About the Unsafe File List in Internet Explorer 6 (291369)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2003
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows XP
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q291369
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

Internet Explorer 6 includes an "unsafe" file list that is coded in the Shdocvw.dll file. The purpose of the unsafe file list is to prevent you from accidentally opening a file type that could potentially cause problems on your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

The Internet Explorer 6 unsafe file list has been updated to be consistent with the Microsoft Office unsafe file list. The following file types have been added to the unsafe file list:
file extensionfile type
.adMicrosoft Access project extension
.adpAccess project
.crtSecurity certificate
.insInternet Naming service
.mdbAccess program
.mdeAccess MDE database
.mscMicrosoft Common Console document
.mspMicrosoft Windows Installer patch
.sct Windows script component
.shbShell scrap object
.vb VBScript file
.wscWindows script component
.wsf Windows script file
.cpl Control Panel extension
.shs Shell scrap object
.vsd Microsoft Visio file type
.vst Visio file type
.vss Visio file type
.vsw Visio file type
The complete unsafe file list in Internet Explorer includes the file types that are listed in the previous table, plus the following file types:
  • .asp
  • .bas
  • .bat
  • .chm
  • .cmd
  • .com
  • .exe
  • .hlp
  • .hta
  • .inf
  • .isp
  • .js
  • .jse
  • .lnk
  • .msi
  • .mst
  • .pcd
  • .pif
  • .reg
  • .scr
  • .url
  • .vbe
  • .vbs
  • .ws
  • .wsh

Modifying the Unsafe File List

For additional information on modifying the unsafe file list, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

291387 OLEXP: Using Virus Protection Features in Outlook Express 6

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/3/2004
Keywords:kbinfo KB291369
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