Internet Explorer is Default

I installed IE7 to my second computer. Now IE7 is my default browser. I went to Internet Properties, Programs and found a way to make IE7 the default, but no way to change from default to no default. I use Opera and want to continue with it, as default. There must be a way, I just can not find it. Maybe it is somewhere in Opera.

 

Been there Pete, and found a way to make it default, but no way to change from default to no default.

 

Control Panel, Set Program Access and Defaults.
Look for the Web Browser section.
Set it to Custom

Do not select an entry.

You do realize this impairs your ability to open links system wide.

 

I do not have Control Panel, Set Program Access and Defaults. I have XP Home. Maybe that is why I do not. Anyway Control Panel Goes from Security Center to Sounds and Audio devices. No other "Se---- ".

 

I apologize:

Control Panel, Add/Remove programs. Look on the left for an iconic "Set Program Access and Defaults.

 

On the left I have "Change or Remove Programs ", "Add New Programs ", and "Add/Remove Windows Components ",and that is all.

 

First, I assume the option does not also appear on your Start Menu? It is a Service Pack 1 onwards feature of XP Home, and XP Professional. Lets check something in your registry:

UnHide Set Program Access and Defaults in Add or Remove Programs

To unhide the Set Program Access and Defaults feature in the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel, use either of the following methods:

• For all users, add a DWORD value named NoChooseProgramsPage that has a value of 0 to the following registry setting:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Uninstall
• For the current user only, add a DWORD value named NoChooseProgramsPage that has a value of 0 to the following registry setting:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Uninstall

To add these registry values:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then double-click the following key in the registry:

• For all users:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
• For the current user:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

3. If an Uninstall subkey does not already exist:a. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
b. Type Uninstall for the name of the new subkey, and then click OK.

4. Click the Uninstall subkey, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
5. Type NoChooseProgramsPage for the name of the DWORD Value, and then click OK.
6. Right-click NoChooseProgramsPage, and then click Modify.
7. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
8. Quit Registry Editor.

 

I added the Registry Key and Subkey. I now have Set Program Access and Defaults. On there is Microsoft Windows, Non-Microsoft, and Custom, which is Checked. Under that is Checked, Use my current Web browser, Use my current e-mail program, Use my current media player, Use my current instant messaging program, and Use my current virtual maching for Java. IE7 is still the Default.

 

It can be changed in Opera. I found that in another place.
Go to Tools, Preferences, Advanced, Programs, Tick the checkbox for Check if Opera is default browser on startup ". Next time you start Opera, answer "Yes" when the dialog asks you if you want Opera to be the default browser on your computer.

 

Under Custom, you can specify another Web browser.
This sets it as the default.