IE and downloading Microsoft Office files

There is a common problem when trying to download Microsoft Office files (.docx, .xlsx, etc.): Internet Explorer thinks it doesn't recognize the file-type, and tries to download them as a .zip! Once that happens, it's all downhill from there. You'll end up with some sort of file, and it will even unzip, but it will be a bundle of files full of text-carnage with a tantalizing smattering of "real" data sprinkled in.

Solution A: Use a more recent browser than Internet Explorer (-: many users prefer Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari (Mac only), or others (comparisons).

Solution B: We'll have to set the file-type ourselves:

1. Click on the link.
2. When it asks “Do you want to open or save this file?,” choose Save.
   
3. A dialog will appear asking where you want to save the file. Inspect the suggested-name, and check whether it ends in .zip. If so, that was the issue! Keep reading…
4. Select Save as type > All Files underneath the File name (instead of WinZip).
5. Now you'll be able to rename the file manually and give it the correct suffix (in our example, .docx).
   
6. Hit Save, and you're done — the resulting file (probably on your desktop) will be correctly identified as .docx (or whatever), can be opened in in Word 2008, or OpenOffice (free), etc.