Trying to open a sharepoint library in Windows Explorer via IE 8 results in the error "your client does not support opening this list with windows explorer"
I am attempting to connect to a Microsoft Sharepoint library, via the "Actions -> Open in Windows Explorer" option from the Sharepoint page. When I do so, I get the error message "your client does not support opening this list with windows explorer". In short, I am trying to get the "drag and drop" functionality of a Sharepoint library. I am running Windows 7 64-bit and IE8. The target Sharepoint environment is a MOSS 2007 EE. My Windows "WebClient" service is running, and I have no problem connecting to this exact library via a Windows XP computer running IE8.
April 14th, 2010 5:28am

The problem is the 64-bit Windows 7 OS. To open a SharePoint library in Windows Explorer mode requires an ActiveX control that only works in a 32-bit environment. IE8 isn't the problem. The problem is that your XP install is 32 bit and your Windows 7 install is 64 bit. This is a known limitation with 64 bit clients.Paul Stork SharePoint Server MVP
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April 15th, 2010 6:16am

Hi, Paul, I am using 32-bit Windows 7 OS, but I got the same problem. so in fact what is the root caused?
July 31st, 2010 2:24pm

Did anybody get the solution ... iam specifically stuck with VISTA clients
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October 7th, 2010 11:06am

Hello Kevin, The problem is you don't have webclient service running. You have to install webclient service and enable it. Here is link show you how to solve the issue: http://mcgeeky.blogspot.com/2010/02/your-client-does-not-support-opening.html Regards, Phong Bui
December 14th, 2010 5:54am

Actually, Phong, the original post specifically stated that the Web Client service was already checked, as has everybody else with this problem by now; I see posts dating back 3 years or more. Further, the link you are suggesting is in regards to SharePoint 2010 Online, not MOSS 2007 or WSS 3.0, which people here are using; and at that only applicable when using Windows Server as your client PC. (I'm sorry, but I'm sick of reading the same bad advice repeatedly, from people who can't be bothered reading the posts.) Moving along... For my own part, a new twist, suddenly my XP clients are having a related problem; instead of opening the document library thier "My Computer" opens. I think something may have gone sideways in my attempts to resolve the Win7 bug, but can't find what it might be. Any ideas?
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January 22nd, 2011 4:49am

Same boat here .... someone has got to have an answer, right? I thought we were moving away from all the ActiveX requirements to make this product more cross platform also????mrw
February 8th, 2011 1:36am

> Moving along... For my own part, a new twist, While I am happy for the complaint about someone suggesting a SP 2010 solution in these pre-2010 forums, please don't add "new twists" to already hopelessly confused threads. Instead start a new thread with what is in essence a new question. Moderator pre-2010 forums. (Split no longer works therwise I would be able myself to start a new thread with your posts)SP 2010 "FAQ" (mainly useful links): http://wssv4faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx WSS3/MOSS FAQ (FAQ and Links) http://wssv3faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx Both also have links to extensive book lists and to (free) on-line chapters
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February 8th, 2011 2:20am

I am in a similar boat, Windows 7, Office 2010, Sharepoint 2007, and Ie 8 64 bit. Not trying to do exactly what Illinger is trying but rather trying to create a new doc from the doc library in SP. I have gone through all the suggestions on the microsoft site (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B833714&x=1&y=11) taking into account that the file was located at c:\program files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12, note, my .dll file was in Office12 not Office14 (method 3). Also, in method 2, there is not "Windows SharePoint Support Service" under Office Tools. The only thing similar is Microsoft SharePoint Foundation Support. But no luck. I would just like to know if the root cause is the same? From Paul Stork, SharePoint Server MVP, above, "The problem is the 64-bit Windows 7 OS. To open a SharePoint library in Windows Explorer mode requires an ActiveX control that only works in a 32-bit environment. IE8 isn't the problem. The problem is that your XP install is 32 bit and your Windows 7 install is 64 bit. This is a known limitation with 64 bit clients. " Thanks for any guidance!
February 8th, 2011 2:35am

It's kind of a long shot with Windows 7 but I've had this problem before with XP and the only solution was to go into your Office program and remove the SharePoint features from the install. Once we did that and immediately went back in and added them back, it worked flawlessly. Never had this issue with Windows 7 but it might be worth giving it a shot. Sorry if this has been attempted already with no success.
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February 12th, 2011 11:07am

This is a ridiculous answer. So are you saying that SharePoint doesn't support 64-bit versions of Windows 7??? That is funny because I am able to open the document library/picture library/etc at least once and then the 2nd or 3rd time I attempt to open them I will get this error. If I close IE and reopen it I am usually able to open the library in windows explorer again at least once. Windows 7 Pro x64, IE9, Office 2007, SharePoint Server 2007 is my setup. How about a real solution or work-around for this problem? I see veriations of this problem posted all over Microsoft's forums and no real solution.
June 6th, 2011 1:24pm

Sorry, I miss spoke. The problem isn't specifically that SharePoint doesn't support 64 bit versions of Windows 7. Its that the Active-X control used for these specific functions isn't installed when you install 64 bit versions of OFFICE. Since you can't install 64 bit Office on a 32 bit copy of XP the problem doesn't occur there. But the problem is related to Office, not just the OS. There are ways to get the Active-X controls installed separately, but none of them are simple. I'm not sure why Microsoft doesn't include the active-X controls in 64 bit versions of Office, but they don't. Microsoft's published solution to this problem is to not use 64 bit office if you don't really need it. Having said that, you appear to have a different problem since it works the first time for you.Paul Stork SharePoint Server MVP
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June 7th, 2011 9:09am

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