Error Message When You Import a Custom Privacy Settings File (303479)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000
This article was previously published under Q303479

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to import a custom privacy settings file into Microsoft Internet Explorer, you may receive the following message:
Your privacy settings file could not be imported. It may not be a valid privacy settings file.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur when the file that you are importing is not a valid privacy settings file or contains comments. Valid Internet Explorer Privacy Preferences files use the correct Extensible Markup Language (XML) syntax and have an .xml extension. Comments of the following form can not be included in Internet Explorer Privacy Preferences files: 
<!-- comment text -->


If you attempt to import a file with incorrect syntax, comments, or an extension other than .xml, you receive the error message described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, ensure that the custom privacy settings file that you want to import is a valid privacy file with an .xml extension and does not contain comments. Valid custom privacy settings files contain specific XML elements that define how Internet Explorer 6 handles cookies.

For information about custom privacy settings import files, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/security/privacy/overview/privacyimportxml.asp

If you received the custom privacy settings from a third-party content provider, contact the provider of the privacy settings file for assistance in resolving this issue.

To import a customized privacy file into Internet Explorer, follow these steps:
  1. Start Internet Explorer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Privacy tab.
  3. Click Import.
  4. In the Privacy Import dialog box, locate the privacy settings file that you want to import, and then click Open.

    Note that Internet Explorer does not specify the file type or file extension in the Files of type box. You can click either Internet Explorer Privacy Preferences or All Files. If the file that you want to import is not a valid privacy settings file with an .xml extension, you receive the error message described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

You can import custom privacy preferences to Internet Explorer when you click Import on the Privacy tab in the Internet Options dialog box, and then open an Internet Explorer Privacy Preferences file (.xml).

For additional information about importing custom privacy preferences to Internet Explorer, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

302880 The Privacy Settings May Be Displayed As Custom After You Import Settings For Non-Internet Zones Only

301689 How to Restore Default Settings After Importing Custom Privacy Preferences

298626 Unable to Export Custom Privacy Settings in Internet Explorer

For additional information about privacy settings in Internet Explorer 6, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

283185 How to Manage Cookies in Internet Explorer 6

293222 Default Privacy Settings for Internet Explorer 6

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/4/2003
Keywords:kbnofix kbprb KB303479
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.