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How To Enable ActiveX Controls on Windows Server 2008

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I was trying to download some software from MSDN to my new Hyper-V playground box, and of course it requires that ActiveX Control that launches the MSDN Downloader.  Back in  Windows Server 2003 it was relatively easy to enable this by removing the enhanced IE security “Component” accessible from the Add/Remove Software control panel applet.  It took me awhile and a good bit of search engine time, but it’s sort of where one would expect it in 2008 – in the Server Manager:

12-5-2008 12-12-54 PM

Comments

  • Anonymous
    September 18, 2011
    U r genious dear....thankssss
  • Anonymous
    October 13, 2011
    You are an absolute GENIUS. I never imagined it was so simple. My problem was that I desperately needed to run an ActiveX installed in Explorer on a Windows Server. I could not make the thing work, in several servers. I tried absolutely everything, even settings IE settings to allow everything, disabling all possible security settings nothing. I thought that option only removed the popup that asks websites to be added to safe list all the time so but it seems that specific setting you posted here allows ALLOT of things for the browser to work normally again and let it launch ActiveX controllers and other stuff.For all people that read this. Please dont forget to turn it back on once you are doing what you did. A server is not meant for browsing and this is why Microsoft has so tight settings on this. After 3 frustrating hours I found your article and with this setting my ActiveX installed (a Cisco VPN) was finally be able to install itself.
  • Anonymous
    October 28, 2011
    Thanks!
  • Anonymous
    January 09, 2012
    THANKS A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOU ARE A MASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!
  • Anonymous
    April 19, 2012
    Thanks very much, you know i was having a problem with installing some files from MCT download site, it fixed and you are really save my time.Thanks,
  • Anonymous
    May 21, 2012
    Wow, this is very helpfull!!!
  • Anonymous
    June 05, 2012
    This guy just save me a days work. You deserve an award. Thanks a lot.
  • Anonymous
    October 24, 2012
    Thanks this tip made my day!
  • Anonymous
    February 12, 2013
    You are my hero!!! BIG THANKS!!
  • Anonymous
    February 20, 2013
    ...very good, thank you!
  • Anonymous
    March 10, 2014
    Really helped...!
  • Anonymous
    May 13, 2014
    It pays for people like Doug to leave his experience on the net.  I, myself have struggled with all the restrictions on our 2008 r2 server.Doug - i want to shake your hand buddy! :-)Thank you for saving me a headache.