File downloading in IE

First, I apologize if this is a repeated or silly question... I don't normally need to do this sort of thing.
My problem concerns IE and the way to handles file links. If the link points to a file with a common windows file extension (.txt, .doc, .xls), the file will be opened within internet explorer.

Is there any way to force IE (or any other browser) the Save File dialog to appear?

I appriciate any information.

Erestar

zip and then upload your files, the user can then download a zipped file in the standard way and unzip at their whim