'Open with WIndows Explorer' not working on Win7 64-bit

Question

Hey guys, I've just built a new SharePoint 2007 SP2 install on Server 2008 R2.

From the client side the 'Open in Windows Explorer' option for document libraries work fine on 32-bit machines, but on my Windows 7 64-bit machine clicking that option results in nothing. No alert or error, just nothing.

I know in the documentation http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc288142.aspx it lists IE 64-bit is listed as a Level 2 browser, which means some functionality may not work. My question is, will this change ? 

With the move to Windows 7, there's also a mainstream change to 64-bit as well, this will become increasingly common. I'm hoping there's a workaround or solution you guys know of.

Answer 1

This might be just what your after:

http://www.ie8blog.com/2009/10/13/the-grapevine-is-saying-windows-7-ie8-and-sharepointmoss-2007-explorer-view-do-not-get-a-long/

Regards

John Timney

Answer 2

try restarting the web client service;

http://docudude.blogspot.com/2009/09/explorer-view-in-sharepoint.html

Answer 3

Thanks for your suggestion, I tried restarting the web client service and still nothing. 

Thanks anyways. 

I had a look at the suggested fix from John (above), it requires a hotfix you have to contact Microsoft to obtain. Not sure why it's not made available online.

Cheers.

Answer 4

Hi

"Open with Windows Explorer” of SharePoint site will only work for the 32-bit system.

The reason is that Web DAV functionality is provided natively by Web Client Service and extended by the Office installation of Microsoft Data Access Internet Publishing Provider(MSDAIPP). Since MSDAIPP is only 32-bit, it cannot be used by 64 bit Internet Explorer.

A workaround is to use  32-bit Internet Explorer in Win 7 64-bit system when the user needs “Open with Windows Explorer”.

Thanks for your understanding!
Best Regards!

Answer 5

I should have been more clear, I was using the 32-bit version of IE.