Maybe you disabled some ActiveX controls in InternetExplorer
(Tools--.manageAddons) which self-identify your Office to the server which
then refusaes to download files to you as it thinks you don't even have
Office. Maybe you also disabled OfficeEngine in Services (run
"services.msc"). Maybe you could download those templates as standalone
file(s) instead of relying on self-identification "conveneice"

BUT MY REAL QUESTION TO YOU IS WHY ARE YOU POSTING IT ONTO VISTA FORUM? I
thought your question belongs to MS Office Forum, however it's fine, you
might get extra help here besides that Forum. Wait for more responses....