Cannot open file:// from local intranet directly in Edge

Question

Cannot open file:// from local intranet directly in Edge

Matt Pollock 256

Hello,

I've been trying to solve an issue raised by several of our users, whereby they try and open a link via Edge, to an .xls file that is stored on our LAN in a file share, but nothing happens.

Opening Dev tools in Edge shows the following error when the link is clicked:

User's image

If however, one of the following methods is employed, the file is accessible:

right click intranet file link, select "open in new tab" - file downloads in Edge
right click intranet file link, copy paste into Edge address bar - file downloads in Edge
right click intranet file link, copy paste into Windows Explorer - file opens up in Excel

If I click the link via the Intranet on a server (running IE), I get a prompt asking me if I want to download the file - which is what I am expecting in Edge.

Can anyone help resolve this issue please as it is driving me mad!

Thanks in advance

2 answers

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Answer 1

Jinxin Wang (Shanghai Wicresoft Co Ltd) 2,195 Microsoft External Staff

Hi @Matt Pollock,

For security reasons, Microsoft Edge doesn't allow access to file:// URLs from pages served by HTTP or HTTPS. If you want this functionality, you can use the IntranetFileLinksEnabled group policy. You can refer to this link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/edge-ie-mode-faq.

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Best Regards,

Jinxin Wang

Matt Pollock 256 Reputation points

2024-03-08T14:48:34.92+00:00

Thanks @Anonymous - unfortunately though the IntranetFileLinksEnabled GPO is already enabled.
Jinxin Wang (Shanghai Wicresoft Co Ltd) 2,195 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-03-12T09:53:09.1566667+00:00

Hi @Matt Pollock,

I would like to know the version number of your Edge.

Best Regards,

Jinxin wang
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Jinxin Wang (Shanghai Wicresoft Co Ltd) 2,195 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-03-14T10:02:39.14+00:00

Hi @Matt Pollock,

Is the URL where the link is located added to the local intranet? Please note that https://localhost/ is specifically blocked as an allowed intranet zone host, so please check whether the website where you have the error is https://localhost/. In addition, please enter "edge://policy" in the Edge address bar and provide me with a screenshot of this page.
Matt Pollock 256 Reputation points

2024-03-14T16:46:55.3366667+00:00

Hi @Anonymous - thanks for the reply
edge://policy screenshot below.

The file on the intranet is hosted in domain.localnet so would be accessed by edge via file://domain.localnet/filepath/file.xls
Jinxin Wang (Shanghai Wicresoft Co Ltd) 2,195 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-03-15T10:15:53.8333333+00:00

Hi @Matt Pollock,

Please check whether HTTPS/HTTP pages that contain the file URL links have been added to the intranet.
Matt Pollock 256 Reputation points

2024-03-15T11:10:46.7033333+00:00

Hi @Anonymous

*.domain.localnet already added to intranet zone:

Error reported in Edge dev tools when attempting to directly open the file from http://intranet.domain.localnet
Jinxin Wang (Shanghai Wicresoft Co Ltd) 2,195 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-03-18T09:47:02.2066667+00:00

Hi @Matt Pollock,

I also tested it on my machine, and then the error shown by the pictures you provided did appear. But please note that this error appears on the HTTP page, not on the HTTPS page. And when I configure this policy, the HTTPS page will work normally, provided that I add the URL of the https page to the Intranet Zone. So, please check if this error occurs is the HTTPS page and the URL of the HTTPS page is added to the Intranet Zone.
Matt Pollock 256 Reputation points

2024-03-18T16:12:09.65+00:00

Hi @Anonymous
Thanks for testing, and I'm glad you were able to recreate the error.
So the issue seems to be that the internal intranet site is http only - this has always been the case, there is no https access as far as I'm aware.
These .xls files stored in file shares used to "open" (get downloaded to the browser) in IE without issue.
Since we've moved to Edge, that is when the issue began.
Are we saying that there is no direct fix for this behaviour in Edge - other than ensuring that the underlying website where the files are accessed from is using https?

Thanks
Jinxin Wang (Shanghai Wicresoft Co Ltd) 2,195 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-03-19T09:23:52.3266667+00:00

Hi @Matt Pollock,

I had tested it on my machine. As mentioned in the document I provided you before, there is actually a second method, and I also tested it successfully on my machine. It did pop up something like "prompt asking me if I want to download the file.".

You need to add this HTTP URL to the site list of IE Mode. The essence is to load this URL in IE mode on edge, so the pop-up window you want will appear. You can also load this website directly in IE mode under the Edge browser. Please note that adding this URL and shared files to the Intranet Zone is a required condition.

Answer 2

Matt Pollock 256

Hi @Anonymous

Thanks - so to confirm, I have added the following entries into the Local intranet zone:

*.domain.localnet (the file path called is a variant of file://domain.localnet/some folder/somefile.xls)
http://intranet (the address of the home page of the intranet)

The http://intranet site is already configured to use IE mode via a site list configuration

I am still unable to access the file, I must be still missing something.....

Jinxin Wang (Shanghai Wicresoft Co Ltd) 2,195 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-03-21T08:34:28.0266667+00:00

Hi @Matt Pollock,

I see that your file path (this variant) is a bit strange. Please check whether this field (*.domain.localnet) complies with the rules of wildcard sequence. You can refer to the picture below. By the way, please copy the entire HTTP URL to the site list in IE mode.

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Cannot open file:// from local intranet directly in Edge

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