Howto: Internet Explorer Saves Only Images As Bitmaps (.bmp)

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When you save an image in Microsoft Internet Explorer, the image is saved by default as a bitmap (.bmp). You do not have the option to save the image by using an extension other than .bmp. You experience this behavior even when the image uses a different format (such as .gif or .jpeg).

For example, when you right-click an image on a Web page, and then click Save Picture As, the file name that appears in the File name box is Untitled, and the file type that appears in the Save as type box is Bitmap (*.bmp).

This behavior may occur if a damaged program file (for example, an ActiveX or Java object) is downloaded to the SystemRoot\Downloaded Program Files folder on your hard disk.

To troubleshoot and resolve this behavior, empty the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder, and then delete the files in the Downloaded Program Files folder that are listed as either Unknown or Damaged. To do so:

1. Start Internet Explorer (if it is not already started).
   
2. Empty the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder. To do so:
   1. 
      
   2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
      
   3. Click the General tab.
      
   4. Under Temporary Internet files, click Delete Files.
      
   5. When you are prompted to delete all temporary Internet files, click OK.
      

[*]In the Downloaded Program Files folder on your hard disk, remove the files that are listed as either Unknown or Damaged. To do so:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
   
2. Click the General tab.
   
3. Under Temporary Internet files, click Settings.
   
4. Click View Objects.
   The list of program files that are downloaded to the SystemRoot\Downloaded Program Files folder on your hard disk appears in the Downloaded Program Files window.
   
5. In the Status column, note the files that are listed as either Unknown or Damaged. Remove these files. To do so, right-click the file, and then click Remove.
   
6. When you are prompted to confirm the removal, click Yes.
   
7. Close the Downloaded Program Files window, and then click OK two times.
   

[*]Save an image in Internet Explorer to test and determine if the issue is resolved.

If the issue continues to occur after you remove all downloaded program files that are listed as Unknown or Damaged, try removing the other downloaded program files that are on the list.

Note: The next time that you need one of the files that you removed from the Downloaded Program Files folder, you will receive a prompt to download the file to your hard disk in Internet Explorer.

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