Windows xp sp2 apparently blocks downloads. This is not so cool as can easily decrease download #s and thus sales. IE displays a little message at the top of the window saying "to protect security the download has been blocked... click here for options". If user clicks options / download it then starts the download normally.

Example xp download screenshot
download link

We've noted it only seems to block .exe download if it was started via a meta-refresh or javascript window.location. If user clicks link to the .exe such as "click here if does not start automatically" that IE doesn't block the download and it starts normally.

Anyhow have similar experience and/or know any kind of workaround?