Download.file fails in RStudio
I found two solutions.
1) Go to Tools > Global Options > Packages, and unselect "Use Internet Explorer library/proxy for HTTP".
2) This worked for another user, but not for me: setInternet2(use=FALSE)
(https://support.rstudio.com/hc/communities/public/questions/200656136-Issue-With-RStudio-and-GEOquery)
Note: when in RGUI I entered setInternet2(use=TRUE), then tried the download, it gave the "using Synchronous WinInet calls" messages and hung; but then Windows Firewall popped up, and when I allowed RGUI through it, the download began.