If you have Internet Explorer 10 or later installed, please configure it to run in compatibility mode, without protected mode enabled. The instructions are here.

IDS Only

Also, if you experience intermittent hanging when downloading data for IDS forms from the PTO, this may be due to the Microsoft's cross-site filter, which appears to block repeated attempts to download data through Internet Explorer from the same or similar domain.

To determine whether cross-site filter is the cause of the problem, you can disable cross-site scripting in IE by following the instructions here.

Also, make sure you are not running IE in "protected" mode, which is another setting that might enable cross-site scripting. See an explanation here.

Another way to troubleshoot the problem is to make Internet Explorer visible when you are downloading info from the PTO. Doing this will allow you to see any error messages posted by IE or USPTO's website. For example, you'll be able to see whether IE is blocking connection to the USPTO because its cross-siting filter is enabled, etc. To make IE visible, go to "Connection" tab in IDS browser and check "Keep IE connection visible during downloads" button, as shown below.