LibAnswers: Customer Services

British Standards Online (BSOL) have introduced new security features which have changed the way you open PDFs on their platform. The FileOpen plugin needs to be installed on any device that wants to download and print British Standards documents. FileOpen protect BSOL’s digital assets from copying, piracy, and unauthorised sharing.

What do I need to do?

If you are using your own device, visit https://plugin.fileopen.com/ to install the FileOpen plugin. Versions are available for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS and Android. If you are using a University device, open the Software Centre and search for ‘FileOpen’.

Important note for all devices (personal and University devices)

Changes to browser settings may be needed to ensure that British Standards documents open in the PDF reader rather than in-browser which is often the default.

If you’re using Google Chrome and encounter problems opening your documents, please follow the steps below:

1. From the Chrome home page click on the three dots at the top-right of your page and select ‘Settings’ from the menu.

2. Scroll down to the privacy and security section and click on ‘Site settings’.

3. Scroll down and click on ‘Additional content settings’.

4. Click on ‘PDF documents’.

5. Ensure ‘Download PDFs’ is switched on.

If you’re using Microsoft Edge and encounter problems, please follow the steps below:

1. From the Microsoft Edge home page click on the three dots at the top-right of your page and select ’Settings’ from the menu.

2. Click on ‘Cookies and site permissions’.

3. Scroll down and click on ‘PDF documents’.

4. Ensure ‘Always download PDF files’ is switched on.

Operating system requirements:

Windows 7 or later, Mac OS X 10.9 or above, Linux Kernel 1.4 or later, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, iOS 4.0 or later Android 2.2 +

Have a problem?

You can contact IT Services for help installing FileOpen.

Any other questions contact the Library’s Electronic Resources Helpdesk.