Microsoft Download Manager – Cannot install in a Windows Server box

For a long time now every time I try to download something from a Microsoft site that uses the download manager I come across different error messages in Internet Explorer, the latest one being:  “An add-on for this website failed to run. Check the security settings in Internet Options for Potential Conflicts.” and it pretty much stays in a screen that looks like the following one:

If you observe the installation in another box with a different browser you will notice that the Akamai Download Manager being used by Microsoft is not working and the main reason behind that is because this ActiveX controller is coming from a non-Microsoft site. You can install it from Akamai directly from their site at: http://dlm.tools.akamai.com/dlmanager/versions/activex/dlm-activex-2.2.5.0.cab, however there is an easier and better way to address this. Go to the list of trusted sites and add the following one:

http://dlm.tools.akamai.com

Once you do that you’ll get the following screen and you should be able to install the download manager and download in any Windows Box. I’ve had this issue in various server operating systems dating back from Windows 2003.

There are other potential error messages you might get like:

• “This site might require the following ActiveX control: ‘Download Manager’ from ‘Akamai Technologies Inc.’. Click here to install.”
• “Your security settings do not allow Web Sites to use ActiveX controls installed on your computer. This page may not display correctly. Click here for options.”
• “Internet Explorer has blocked this site from using an ActiveX control in an unsafe manner. As a result, this page may not display correctly.”
• “Security Alert! Your current security settings do no allow this file to be downloaded.”

For more information about how to resolve them if the information about doesn’t help you try this link: Akamai download manager V2 troubleshooting steps