Due to a security feature, downloaded documents from the BSOL database can only be opened with specific software. You need to have both Adobe Acrobat Reader and a plug-in called FileOpen installed on your device to be able to open and print these items.
Files cannot be opened within your internet browsers' in-built PDF viewer. If you see an error message like 'We can't open this file, something went wrong' when you try to open the PDF it means your browser has tried to open it by default instead of using Adobe. To open the document, either open Adobe Acrobat and use it to locate the file, OR:
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go to your Downloads folder
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right click on the document
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choose “Open with” > Adobe Acrobat
Installing Adobe and FileOpen on a Personal device:
- Adobe Reader is free to download from the Adobe website: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html
- The FileOpen plugin is free to download from the FileOpen website: https://plugin.fileopen.com/
- To minimise problems, make sure you install Adobe first.
Note: If you are using a device provided by your employer (e.g. the NHS, a school, local council or engineering company), installation of FileOpen may be blocked. The error message typically says to contact your Administrator. Please get in touch with your company's IT department for support in installing the plug-in, it is not something the University can help with. Until the installation problem can be resolved, you will need to read the standards online within BSOL or use another device that will accept FileOpen.
University staff - installing Adobe and FileOpen on a University Windows device:
- Open the Software Centre app from the Windows start menu.
- Install the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application and then install "Acrobat".
- Finally, install FileOpen vB997 (it will fail to install if you do not install Adobe first).
This article in the IT Knowledge base has more details about installing Adobe: https://wolvs.service-now.com/it_portal?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0010353
University PCs and Library Laptops
At the time of writing, FileOpen is not available on all machines on campus or the Laptops available in the Library. We are working closely with Digital Services to make this service available.
