This is done by design. Big part of the file repository functionality is restricting access via IEEE web account or simple password. Therefore we can not allow one to get to files directly. They have to be “piped” through a browser. This is done to have the most flexibility with access protection levels. In order to greatly simplify code maintenance (and make it less expensive) we apply the same file logic to protected and non protected files.  Page visitors can simply bookmark the files page directly (for example: https://webinabox.vtools.ieee.org/wibp_site_files/index/R50043 ) .