I hope someone is still monitoring this thread, because I too keep getting the error: "C:\whatever\file i'm trying to get.doc is not a valid file or directory inside file download directory." I originally placed it in c:\my downloads because I thought I was following the instruction to keep it outside the webroot. After reading this thread I tried moving it up and up and up one level at a time until it was in the files folder inside drupal, but it never made any difference, I always got this error. Where, or what, is the 'file downloads directory' anyway? I do have server access. I am on Windows. All help appreciated. Thx.