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Resolved IE 8 icon will not open IE [from Desktop shortcut in Win 7]

Discussion in 'Internet Explorer & Microsoft Edge' started by Rojam, 2010/04/15.

  1. 2010/04/15
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi again. You helped me solved my problem of 32/64 bit system, but now I have another problem I hope you can help me with.

    In my other thread (Adobe Flash won't load), PeteC advised me to go to "Control Panel > Folder Options > View Tab Uncheck 'Hide extensions for known file types' - they are not displayed by default ". This was because I wasn't getting the ".exe" in C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

    Now that that is fixed, I right clicked on the above to create a desktop icon for IE. It worked fine for awhile then stopped. To get on the internet, I had to "pin" IE32 to the taskbar, then right click on it to get a list of previous pages visited on IE. I could then scroll to any page on the list, click on it and was then able to open IE. Clicking on the IE icon on the taskbar gives the same results and works the same way.

    Is this the way IE8 works or is there a problem? Looking back on the previous thread (32/64), PeteC advised my to delete the 64 bit icon from the desktop to avoid confusion, which I did. So I assume a desktop icon should work. Please advise.

    Thanks, Ron
     
  2. 2010/04/15
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Hi Ron, I had to look back at your previous Posts to find you are talking Win7 OS. It might pay to fill in your System Details in User CP.

    It means that people operating Win7 32 or 64Bit can help you quicker. Cheers. Neil.;)

    ps. My IE 8 opens with one click on the Icon in the Taskbar with XP SP3 Pro.
     
    Last edited: 2010/04/15

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  4. 2010/04/16
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I don't fully understand some aspects of your post .....
    The desktop icon should open IE8 directly - pinning it to the Taskbar is a matter of convenience. Check the propertirs of the Desktop shortcut - screenshot.
    Do you mean previous pages - i.e. from an earlier session or the pages currently open in IE? - I suspect the latter - screenshots with and without Aero active.

    A right click on the IE taskbar icon gives you the window shown in the last screenshot, Hovering the mouse over the taskbar icon shows a list of currently open pages (Aero disabled) or images of each page open (Aero enabled)
     

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  5. 2010/04/16
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    Sorry, I'll try to explain better.

    First let me start with a quote from retiredlearner, "ps. My IE 8 opens with one click on the Icon in the Taskbar with XP SP3 Pro. "

    Sorry abut the lack of information. My IE 8 opened with one click when I first got the computer. At that time, I didn't have a desktop icon, so I just used the one on the taskbar until it quit working. I could right click on it and open IE from the links from previous sessions, but wanted to simplify for the grand kids. Then I went to START>ALL PROGRAMS and probably used the IE 64 to open, which started all my previous problems, which BBS solved. Then I created a desktop icon using the info from PeteC, as explained in my OP.

    The desktop shortcut worked did for a while, then quit (the little circle goes around for a few seconds, stops and nothing happens). So I tried pinning IE8 32bit on the taskbar again. No luck. I am referring to earlier sessions, not the pages that are currently opened. As usual, I'm at work so I can't check the properties of the desktop shortcut. What should I look for and what can I do?

    Something else that might be helpful. If I reboot, whether i used the shortcut on the taskbar or desktop, I can get on the internet--for awhile. Then those options stop working and I have to resort to the right clicking option.

    I really am attempting to explain as clearly as I can. Please be patient :eek:
    Thanks, Ron
     
  6. 2010/04/16
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Ron - patience is one attribute that I don't lack :) With my landscape photographer's hat on I have been known to wait up to 4 days for a shot and then did not necessarily capture it.

    I understand what you are saying, but part of it is completely foreign to me. I cannot recall any build of Internet Explorer in which a right click on the icon showed IE History - which is essentially what you say you had access to - a list of previously opened URL's.

    As for the intermittent shortcut I would unpin IE from the Taskbar and delete the desktop icon. Reboot and remake the shortcut and pin it to the Taskbar.

    The screenshots which I posted are standard - unless some one else knows better :)
     
  7. 2010/04/16
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the patients, I used to do a little photography, very little, so I understand. To set the record straight, I was wrong about the desktop short, only the task bar icon shows previous pages.

    I did what you suggested above. The shortcut is working now, however I will have to give it a few days to see what happens. Again, I will be at the hospital (work) till Sunday afternoon. If at that time it is still functioning properly, I will mark this thread as resolved (now that I know to do that:)).

    Thanks again, Ron
     
  8. 2010/04/16
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    OK - listening out :)
     
  9. 2010/04/18
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    I back from work with no good news. Neither the desktop icon nor the taskbar icon will open IE8.

    Right clicking on the desktop icon will give me an open option, but it does not open IE. It also give the usual options, such as cut, copy and paste.

    Right clicking on the taskbar icon gives me a list of pages previously visited, then clicking on one of those will open IE. It aslo give a list of tasks, such as, start InPrivate browsing, open new tab, unpin and close. When I hover the mouse over this icon, it displays pages that are already opened in IE.

    I checked the properties for the desktop icon and the TARGET is "C:\program files(86)\Internet Explorer\internet explorer.exe" The START IN is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer "

    I'm at a loss. Opening IE with a right click on the taskbar icon works, plus it allows me to choose the page I want, but is this the way it is supposed to work?? :confused:
     
  10. 2010/04/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I'm at a loss too and fast running out of ideas :( - clearly something is not right and one aspect of behaviour you note I cannot reproduce, namely ....
    Please try the following .....

    Reset IE - Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Reset
     
  11. 2010/04/19
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    When I get home I will do that.

    When I right click on the taskbar icon, I get a "window" that has a menu with "sections" on it, the first one is labled FREQUENT. Under it is the list of web pages I previously visited. Under that is the next one called TASK, where I can choose InPriviate Viewing, Unpin this page, or open a new tab. Below that is, if I remember correctly, is OPTIONS, such as open, which doesn't open IE and internet explorer, which, come to think of it, I never clicked on. I'll has to try that.

    Pete, looking back at one of your previous post, I must have AERO enabled, because when I hover of the taskbar icon I see images of the pages opened. When I have multiple pages opened in IE, the taskbar icon will change to a "3D" look, with lines on the right side of the icon, indicating just how many pages are opened.

    Thanks again,Ron
     
  12. 2010/04/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Solved that one :) There is a setting in Taskbar properties to turn off that feature - must have turned it off months ago when I first installed Windows 7 ...

    Right click on Taskbar > Propertries > Start Menu tab - Privacy - 'Store and display recently opened items in the Start Menu and Taskbar'

    So that is one mystery sorted :)
     

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  13. 2010/04/19
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    Brilliant, will do when I get home. :)


    The attached is exactly what I get. Can anyone attach those kind of things, and, if so, how does one do it, are is that something that is only for administrators? It would have helped speed things along if I could have done that earlier.
     
    Last edited: 2010/04/19
  14. 2010/04/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Only Contributing Members can post attachments - the workaround is to post an image on a photohosting site (Photobucket, etc... ) and post the URL here.
     
  15. 2010/04/19
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    Well, I don't know what to say :confused:

    I usually leave my computer on all the time. I was late for work this morning because the city turned off the electricity in our neighboehood to work on some lines. Didn't think much about it untill I got home and went to the computer. I clicked on the taskbar icon, just to check, and, to my surprise, IE loaded. There was a message that said, the previous browsing session ended prematurely, do I want to resume that session or go to my home page. I went to the home page and then got out of that and tried the desktop icon and, sure enough, it worked also. I installed some updates for Adobe Reader, restarted the computer and, again, all is well.

    I guess I should give this some time to see how it pans out before I say the problem is solved. If the situation does remain working, I will come back and mark this thread resolved. Also, this was a very cold shutdown and restart, could this have done anything to "fix" something that was wrong.

    Thanks again and hoping for the best,
    Ron
     
  16. 2010/04/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    The option to restore a browsing session is default for IE8 - I'll keep my fingers crossed re. the shortcut issue - not all changes to the registry take effect without a reboot - that may have done the trick.
     
  17. 2010/04/19
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    Back to square one. :( It seems that a reboot will have the effect of "activating" the IE icons for a while, then they both stop working.

    I tried to reset IE, however, when I click on the advance tab then click on reset, I get this message--Before you can reset IE settings, you must close all other windows and programs--After closing ALL windows and programs, I have nothing open to access Tools. Is there any way to access Tools without having IE opened.

    Once again, I'm in your debt,:eek:
    Ron
     
  18. 2010/04/19
    goddez1

    goddez1 Inactive

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    Hi Rojam,

    control panel>internet options icon
    OR
    startbutton>search line> type "internet ">in the list will be a category of control panel, click on internet explorer
    OR
    start>type inetcpl.cpl, hit enter>advanced tab
     
    Last edited: 2010/04/19
  19. 2010/04/19
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks Goddez1,
    What a dummy I am. :eek: I went to control panel, however, I had it previewing info under catagory. I changed it to large icons, which I never noticed before, and there it was. I'm going to have to change my computer knowledge status to "dummy ". :D The technology is advancing faster than I can keep up with it.
     
  20. 2010/04/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Have you managed to Reset IE and what was the effect?
     
  21. 2010/04/20
    Rojam Lifetime Subscription

    Rojam Inactive Thread Starter

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    No. From the desktop, with nothing opened, I followed the procedures goddez1 suggested and I still get the same message--Before you can reset IE settings, you must close all other windows and programs. Along with that message, there is a "help' question which asked, "Why am I getting this message "? I clicked on that and read through the explanation and came across this sentencee, Resetting Internet Explorer's settings is not reversible. After a reset, all previous settings are lost and cannot be recovered. This part has me very nervous to reset IE, even if I could. Many of the web sites that I use for work have extra setting to allow pop-ups, which allows me to view their sites. I have to do inservices and continuing education work on these sites. Does the "cannot be recovered" appliy to these situations?

    I'm about to give up, and I wouldn't blame you if you did, but something is not right and I don't know if it will cause more problems down the line. BTW, I have very good virus and firewall protection (Norton's)
     

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