IE10 file download/open links not working

[randle]

Hi,

 

I have a situation here where some users are unable to download or open PDF/files from hyperlinks specifically within IE10 ONLY when not connected to the domain. Hyperlinks behave normally when the user is logged on with a roaming profile.

 

IE9 works fine and IE11 isn't an option as am not deploying this yet besides, I don't like simply avoiding the issue without understanding the cause so would like to get to the bottom of this before moving on.

 

Clicking the link either does nothing or flashes a blank screen briefly before returning to the same screen. Opening in a new tab/window shows only a blank screen.

 

So far I've checked the following:

 

• Protected Mode for the Internet security zone is disabled
  
• File download is enabled in the Internet security zone
  
• Enhance Protected mode is disabled
  
• Reset Internet Explorer settings and deleted personal data
  
• Disabled popup blocker
  
• Disabled SmartScreen Filter
  

 

Also I've deleted the local profile, reset the roaming profile and re-installed IE10.

 

Systems affected are Windows 7 64-bit and happens on both Intranet and Internet sites

 

Please no suggestions to use Firefox/Chrome etc. instead.

[Grey-gear]

This may not help but the computers have adobe reader on right? if so I have found that sometimes the user will need to run that first and then PDF will open.

 

Sorry if that is no help.

[themightymrp]

Could you test using Foxit PDF Reader on one machine as an alternative to Adobe Reader? See if it is software installation related?

[randle]

Thanks for the suggestions but PDF links are just one of the types of link that I'm having a problem with. This affects non-PDF download links also and as mentioned, works fine when connected to the domain for all links.

[MordyT]

I want to say I have seen this before, but can't really remember. Try to run ie in no add ons mode and see if the issue persists.

[randle]

I knew I'd forgotten to add another check I'd already made.....No add-ons mode behaves in the same way

[MordyT]

Any sort of proxy in place? On the PC or upstream from it?

[randle]

Yes there's an upstream non-authenticating proxy when testing both connected and disconnected from the domain. This is not the cause as the same behaviour is happening at home when using a direct connection.

[disk]

Anything in Event Viewer? Maybe try moving one of the machines to a different OU, maybe a Test OU that blocks inheritance. Could be some strange combination of policy that is changing some settings when not connected to the domain.

 

Also, I saw this but since you didn't mention problems with Windows Update I assume this won't be of much help (but still, you never know):

 

Fixed IE 10 unable to download, Windows Update not functioning, MS Excel web query broken problem | The 8th Voyager

[randle]

GPO's are applied through security groups rather than inheritance and any that are delivered in this way are default domain ones that don't change.

 

After more testing it seems some of the roaming profile structure isn't copied across to the cached profile and may be the cause but inconclusive at the moment. Will keep you updated.