I think you just saved the link, not the file. Make sure the file you are saving is a .rar file, not anything else. I don't know why it is opening in internet explorer otherwise.

Try downloading the forge tools from this link:

https://stardock.cachefly.net/ForgeTools3.rar

And open the file with either 7zip or winrar.

If you're playing entrenchment you need to put your maps in the Galaxy forge folder that's with the mod folders. (C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\GalaxyForge)

actually the galaxyforge folder cam in with sins 1.16 & entrenchment 1.02, so you DO NEED to place your galaxyforge maps in the galaxyforge folder next to the mods-v folder

harpo

THE GALAXY FORGE FOLDER DOES EXIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it is just hidden under TWO hidden folders

assuming you have sins 1.181/entrenchment 1.041,  the galaxy forge maps NEED to be placed here for xp
C:\Documents and Settings\'user name'\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\GalaxyForge

or here for vista/windows 7
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\GalaxyForge.

for sins 1.15/entrenchment 1.01 and earlier, the correct location IS the program files \galaxy folder, and you also NEED to edit the entrenchment's galaxy.manifest to include the maps and also the total count of maps

NOTE the first two folders after the 'user name' are hidden , so to see them you must first click on 'tools' then 'folder options', then 'view', then click on 'show hidden files& folders' then click ok, then you will be able to browse your want to the folder. I suggest when you find the folder that you create a shortcut to it on the desktop

NOTE 2 the 'user name' in the above paths is your WINDOWS login user name, eg Administrator

also the galaxy forge maps in the local apps galaxyforge folder only show up in the galaxy forge tab of map types in sins 1.16+/entrenchment 1.02+

if the map IS a galaxy forge and giving the instant win/loss screen then MAKE sure that EACH player has a home planet

and if a map you want to play was released before 25th feb 2009 then you will also need the sins map updater from here
http://files.filefront.com/sins+map+updater+v201rar/;13585432;/fileinfo.html

harpo