Page cannot be found Error when executing a Hyperlink to a DOCX File

Symptoms

When executing a hyperlink from a webpage to a DOCX file (Microsoft Office Word 2007 and later), an error page is displayed, reporting "The page cannot be found". The link to the DocX file is an HTTP path. The file exists in the location specified, so the link should be valid.

Cause

The MIME type for DocX files is not defined on the web server.

Solution

Define the MIME type in IIS as follows:

1. On the web server, run Internet Information Services Manager with administrative privileges.
2. In the left-hand pane, right-click on [Computer Name] (local computer) > Properties.
3. Click on the MIME Types... button.
4. Check that there isn't already a '.docx' MIME type listed. If there is, it should be checked: see below for the setting.
5. Assuming it does not already exist, click New....
6. In the MIME Type dialog, set:

Extension: .docx
MIME Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

and click OK to update settings and close dialogs until the main Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager dialog has focus.

7. Right-click [Computer Name] (local computer) > All Tasks > Restart IIS..., and confirm prompts to restart IIS.