<p>Problem:<br/></p>

<ol>
<li>html file on local server (inside our organization) with link to an exe on the same server.</li>
<li>clicking the link runs the exe on the client. Instead I want it to offer downloading it.</li>
</ol>

<p>Tried so far:<br/></p>

<ol>
<li>Changed permissions on the exe's virtual directory to be read and script.</li>
<li>Added Content-disposition header on the exe's directory.</li>
<li>I can't change settings in the browser. It's intended for a lot of people to consume.</li>
</ol>

You need to set
```
content-disposition
```
in the HTTP header.
This Microsoft Knowledge Base entry
has more detail on how to do this.