Cannot open links in Outlook Express or shortcuts in Internet Explorer

N4OYM51 · 14th December 2003

I cannot open links in Outlook Express version 6 or Internet Explorer verion 6.0. I have Windows XP. Please help.

**PeteC** · 14th December 2003

Hi N4OYM51 - and Welcome to the Board

Take a look at this MS Knowledge Base Article Internet Shortcuts in Outlook Express Do Not Start Web Browser for starters.

N4OYM51 · 14th December 2003

Thanks for the quick reply. However, since I can't "click" on the link you gave me and get it to open... could you type out the full address so I can copy and paste it into my internet explorer or access it some other way. Thanks again.

**brett** · 14th December 2003

FYI, had you right-clicked on Pete's link and chosen Properties, the URL would have been diplayed and you could have coped and pasted into your browser

Quote:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q177054&

**PeteC** · 14th December 2003

Apologies - a 'Senior' moment

noahdfear · 14th December 2003

You could also right click and copy shortcut then paste it in browser.

N4OYM51 · 15th December 2003

I followed the directions in the Microsoft Knowledge Base link. All my settings seem to be correct. However, after going through and checking the settings, Oulook Express then allowed me to "click" on links and it did open them. So that part is solved. Internet Explorer still does not let me click on links and shortcuts on webpages. Any more suggestions. Thanks so much for everyone's help.

goddez1 · 15th December 2003

I've seen this bit of advice from time to time. As it is not harmful, I am curious if it works.....

Do a search for the ie.inf file. When found right click on it and select install.

===========
I was going to hold off on this link until I found out if the above^ suggestion panned out, but since it is getting late and I do not know if you will return before I call it night, one of these should get ya' going again:

http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/ans...#blank_windows

Specifically checking the url associations and doing the regsvr32's.

============
Have you updated IE/OE lately?

=========TIP========
Until you find a fix, these work arounds may help.....

Open a new IE window and drag and drop the urls in it. May be easier than copyNpaste.

How about a right click on the url and a selection of open in a new window?

Can also dragNdrop onto the address bar.

**Zander** · 15th December 2003

Try this. Click start>run and type the following in.

regsvr32 Urlmon.dll

You should see a message as to whether or not the dll registered properly. Then try IE again.

N4OYM51 · 15th December 2003

I did the search and it resulted no findings.

I went to http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/an...m#blank_windows, but it was unable to display page. I went to the mvps home page, but did not find the article.

I ran the regsvr32 Urlmon.dll and it was successful.

Then I tried Internet Eplorer again. Shortcuts and links on webpages still do not open.

Thanks for all your help so far.

goddez1 · 15th December 2003

IE.inf is in c:\windows\inf folder. To do a file find [and includes ALL files] you must set your folder options to show hidden and system files:

Make sure you have the ability to view hidden files by adjusting preference options in....
1>Click on My Computer icon or if in explorer>toolbar>view
2>click on toolbars "View" category
3>click on "Folder options"
4>click on "View" Tab:
5>and scroll to the [Hidden Files] section and enable or disable the options below by unchecking or checking as designated:
"Do Not show hidden files"=unchecked
"Do not show hidden or system folders"=unchecked
"Show all Files"= checked
"hide file extensions for known files"=unchecked

Now do the file find.

=============

Sorry about the link. Try:
link problems

And
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q281679

N4OYM51 · 15th December 2003

I followed your instructions and did the search again. Resultls, "No Files Found".

I will check out the links you provided and get back. Thank you for your time and patience.

**PeteC** · 15th December 2003

If your search isn't working just follow Ann's list to unhide the relevant file types and go manually to c:\windows\inf > ie.inf

N4OYM51 · 15th December 2003

OK, I went manually, right clicked, clicked "install", the install box poped up and asked what "path". The path offered was
C:\WINDOWS\inf\i386. When I clicked "OK", it would refuse this path. Any ideas?

**PeteC** · 15th December 2003

Quote:

Any ideas?

Maybe - what sort of XP install do you have?

Was XP loaded on the PC when you got it? - most likely OEM version

or

Did you load it from an upgrade or full install CD?

Do you have SP 1 installed - for XP and IE 6?

i386 is located in C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 on my m/c running XP Pro + SP1 plus updates. Check out your Windows directory.

Otherwise try -

Start > Run > paste in rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %windir% \ Inf \ ie.inf