Internet Explorer cannot access FTP servers on the Internet from a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer (918208)

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:

You use Microsoft Internet Explorer to access a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server on a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based client computer.
Internet Explorer is configured to use FTP folders. (The Enable folder view for FTP sites default setting is turned on in Internet Explorer.)
You configure Internet Explorer to use a proxy server for FTP connections. You expect Internet Explorer to use the proxy server for FTP connections.
Name resolution for the target FTP server occurs on the client computer.
You configure the router to reject direct FTP connections on the Internet. In this configuration, the router sends back a "TCP RESET" message when the client computer requests a connection to an FTP server on the Internet.

In this scenario, Internet Explorer cannot access FTP servers on the Internet. Additionally, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Windows cannot access this folder. Make sure you typed the file name correctly and that you have permission to access the folder.

Note Access to FTP servers on the intranet works as expected.

CAUSE

When Internet Explorer is configured to use FTP folders, Internet Explorer tries to connect to an FTP server if the FTP server name can be resolved. If the direct connection to the FTP server cannot be established because of a time-out issue, Internet Explorer uses the proxy server. However, Internet Explorer does not use the proxy server if a direct connection to the FTP server is unsuccessful.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Msieftp.dll	6.0.2900.2891	248,832	20-Apr-2006	08:49	x86

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, turn off the Enable folder view for FTP sites setting in Internet Explorer. This prevents Internet Explorer from establishing a direct FTP connection to the target server. To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Run, type iexplore.exe, and then click OK.
On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
Click the Advanced tab, and then click to clear the Enable folder view for FTP sites check box.
Click Apply, and then click OK.