SharePoint Workspace 2010 unable to open ZIP file attachments, error "Cannot locate the Internet server or proxy server"

Question

Unable to open .zip attachments when Offline using SharePoint Workspace 2010

The ZIP files are attached in a Custom List in SharePoint 2010.

When Offline I receive this error when clicking the link to the ZIP file attachment: Error "Unable to Open" "Cannot locate the Internet server or proxy server"

The issue is occurring on all the PC’s we've tested.

I have tested the following file types and they open correctly when Offline: (Word 2010, Excel 2010, PowerPoint 2010, PDF)

Does anyone know if this is a limitation of SharePoint Workspace 2010 or if there is a fix to this problem.

In the meantime we are copying the ZIP file attachments to a Document Library on the site where they are accessible in SP Workspace 2010 when offline.

Answer 1

2 thoughts:

1) Could it be that .zip is not in the folder synchronization properties for Workspace?

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint-workspace-help/viewing-properties-for-a-shared-folder-HA010283272.aspx?CTT=5&origin=HA010283263

2) Because Workspace is essentially  document synchronization just like Windows Offline files, could it be that because zip files are a compressed container that SharePoint Workspace cannot enumerate the contents and therefore any changes to them just don't sync--in fact, all SharePoint sees is the container and not the contents inside? However, it seems you can see them if they are attached to a document library, just not the list, is that correct?

Answer 2

Donia, Thanks for the Reply

Yes this only occurs with .zip and also .ex$ (.exe extension changed so it could be uploaded to SharePoint) attached to Custom List items.

The .zip files open correctly in SharePoint Workspace when I’m connected to our network

The .zip attachments sync to Workspace but cannot be opened when Offline

Are you able to replicate this issue while Offline?

---

Tim Morris

Answer 3

I just tried--document libraries and SharePoint Workspace--zip files work fine offline.

Lists with zip files and SharePoint Workspace offline--Proxy error.

Answer 4

Donia,

Thanks for testing in your environment.  Look like it may be a limitation of Workspace.

I am opening a ticket with MS tech support to get the official answer on this and will post the results.

---

Tim Morris

Answer 5

In testing this further and working with Microsoft we actually discovered that this issue occurs for all List Attachments regardless of file type if they are larger than 3 MB and you are working Offline.

Microsoft has published the follwoing knowledgebase article so it is now documented.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2711474

The work-around is to store attachments larger than 3 MB in a document library and then link to them from the custom list.

---

Tim Morris

Answer 6

Good to know!

Donia