Opening .png files in Internet Explorer prompts me to download

Lizzie Jo PC 11 · 21 Oct 2018

Whenever I open a .png file saved on my computer (stored locally) with Internet Explorer, instead of displaying the .png image in the browser as it should, a window comes up asking me if I want to save, save as, or open the image, as if I was trying to download something from the internet. Selecting save does what it usually would, and saves the file to the computer again. Selecting open simply opens the windows asking me to save or open again.

This does not occur on all of my computers. Currently, it only happens on my desktop running Windows 10, but my laptop, which is running the same version, same build, same update, does not do this.

Can someone please help me solve this issue? Thank you.

Berton · 21 Oct 2018

IE can do a lot of things but I find associating several graphic files with Windows Photo Viewer works better for my needs, also easier to print from. Such associations can be made in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs or Settings\Default Apps.

Lizzie Jo PC 11 · 21 Oct 2018

I understand that, but in this particular case, IE is necessary. I would much rather prefer a fix to the issue that I'm having, as opposed to a "work around."

Thanks again.

Berton · 21 Oct 2018

It's not a work-around but a choice in a number of versions of Windows. The .png format should open in in Firefox is using it or in Paint if wanting to edit it.

Lizzie Jo PC 11 · 21 Oct 2018

Sorry. What I meant was, I would prefer a way to make IE open .pngs (as I've always done) as opposed to using an alternative program.

Berton · 21 Oct 2018

Uncompressed .png images open okay in my IE11.

Lizzie Jo PC 11 · 21 Oct 2018

On my laptop I don't have the issue either. It's only on my desktop for some reason, and I'm running the same version of IE and the same version of Windows 10.

To clarify...

On my laptop (where I am not experiencing the issue):
#1. I have IE set as the default program for .png files.
#2. I double-click on a .png file which is stored on my PC.
#3. The .png opens in IE.

On my desktop (Where I am experiencing the issue):
#1. I have IE set as the default program for .png files.
#2. I double-click on a .png file which is stored on my PC.
#3. A blank/white window in IE opens, that displays the active downloads window, asking what I would like to do (Save, save as..., open) with the .png that I double-clicked.
#4. Selecting open repeats #3.
#5. Selecting save saves another copy of the .png (which is already stored on my pc) in my default save location.
#6. Selecting save as... opens the usual save as... window, asking what I would like to name the .png (which is already stored on my pc) and where I would like to save it.

Opening .png files in Internet Explorer prompts me to download

Opening .pngs (stored locally) in Internet Explorer prompts a download