Returning binary file from controller in ASP.NET Web API

Question

I\'m working on a web service using ASP.NET MVC\'s new WebAPI that will serve up binary files, mostly .cab and .exe files.

The following co

Answer 1

For anyone having the problem of the API being called more than once while downloading a fairly large file using the method in the accepted answer, please set response buffering to true System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.Buffer = true;

This makes sure that the entire binary content is buffered on the server side before it is sent to the client. Otherwise you will see multiple request being sent to the controller and if you do not handle it properly, the file will become corrupt.