Vista - downloaded files disappear...actually never appear

Hi, When I download a file anywhere...it says its going. But when it is done
there is nothing. Also when I open a zip file I can't extract. It goes
through the motions but it too is nonexistent at the end.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I did this and it worked for me

I had same trouble went to Tools Internet Options Advanced and click on
restore internet explorer settings IE to it's install state then it started
to save files again
one thing I do not like about IE7 is it does not remember the folder where
you last saved files to so you have to keep redoing it the folder

Hi
I had double posts ...the site said error so I posted again and now there
are doubles.
I tried that but no luck. Still won't work.

Let me guess, you are using a web-based reader that you got into by clicking
on a newsgroup link in Vista Help and Support? If so, it is prettly clear
that this is a bug that is causing false negative reports. Report the bug
and then try the Vista Mail newsreader. All of the Vista newsgroups are
listed there and all you have to do is subscribe.

Question for you. Are you using a user account or the original account that
you created when you installed Vista? I also ran into a simular situation
where I created a normal account and downloaded something but it didn't
appear in my download folder where I directed it to even after entering my
admin password to allow that file to download. I tried logging onto the
account that I used when I installed Vista and redownloaded the file and it
was there.

I am experiencing the exact same thing and it's really frustrating!!
I just got this new laptop and wanted to install vlc media player from the free download at cnet.download.com.

1) I created a folder called "software" in my "Downloads" folder and select that folder as the destination for the download.

2) I click save instead of open, accept the destination, then the downloading progress shows. when the download is completed, the progress box disappears as usual.

3) I go to the specified folder (Downloads>software>) and to my dismay, there is nothing.

4) Shower, Rinse, & Repeat... still nothing.

5) I tried saving to desktop... no dice, no cigar... no file.

6) I've tried searching for the file on my C: drive... Nadda.

There should be at least 4 versions of this application on my brand new Toshiba Laptop running windows Vista Home... but I can't find any of them.

Please is there anyone that knows what's happening here?

Too little too late... Anyway, I hope it will help future users if they encounter this, here's how I solved it: I recently installed a new antivirus and the same problem suddenly happened to me (with Vista Home Premium 32Bit SP1): Download window showed files where saved, but they acutally didn't appear anywhere (except maybe for picture files and like) and zip files weren't really extracted, all of this first in my user and then in the original user, "Run" button in the download window didn't always work. I tried resetting Internet Explorer 7 and stuff, nothing worked. It was finally solved when I turned UAC off, despite the fact that my user is defined as administrator, here's where to do it: Control Panel -> User Accounts and Family Safety -> User Accounts -> Turn User Account Control on or off. Worked like charm. Bonus: even my antivirus works better.

I tried your method and now everything is fine.
I'm just wondering... Is there a way to fix it without turning the User Account Control off? Because prior to the most recent update, it was perfectly fine and there were no troubles at all.

Glad I could help.
I am not aware though of any fix to this problem...

well my advices would be
1) If you download warez, stop it.
2) If you have antivirus enabled, close it. open the file, extract , open antivirus again.
3) When a window pops up and asks you to save file, tick on the save button (firefox) or save for IE.
4) type on cmd on startup "sfc /scannow"
5) Watch for settings
6) Check for viruses
7) If nothing works,reinstall your web browser,and if THESE wont work... format =(
8) I guess there is no 8. :P.