Opening html/htm files from Windows Explorer

I tried to open htm and html files from Windows Explorer and got the message: there is a problem sending the command to the program.

IE is set to open htm and html files.

I finally discovered that the files would not open when IE is running. When I close IE, the files will open. But, I can open only 1 file at a time. I tried minimizing the file that was open and opening another file. I get the same message: there is a problem sending the command.

I am running Win XPsp1 home edition.

Is this normal?

I have a web page with a directory on my hard drive with those files and also directories with html files I created for CDs. All this time, I don't remember running into this problem opening the files from within Windows Explorer. ???

Thank you.

 

Are you using a popup stopper of any kind? These files opening in IE when it is running could be identified as a popup.

 

No, I'm not running a popup stopper.

These are files I want to open - just can't open them if IE is running.

 

This isn't normal. You should be able to open as many of these as you want.

Any other browsers installed?

And what exactly do you mean by

?
How is it "set "?

 

I have an old version of Netscape Communicator that I rarely open. It shouldn't make any difference.

By set to open with, I mean if you look at properties it shows the file type and the program that opens it - which is Internet Explorer.

It's the same as under the menu for Folder Options/File Types - my htm and html files are "set" to open with Internet Explorer.

 

OK. It sounds like you have it under control if not solved.

I realize you've checked the file associations, but it probably wouldn't hurt to check them all for IE. And some dll's may have become unregistered.

May not help; couldn't hurt.

Windows Explorer > 'Tools' > 'Folder Options...' > 'File Types' tab
Under 'Registered file types:', select each the following, one at a time, then the 'Advanced' button:
'URL: Gopher Protocol'
'URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol'
'URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy'
Select 'open' under 'Actions:' > 'Edit...' button
In the 'Editing for action type:' window, edit each respective section to display as follows, including quotes & other marks:
Application used to perform action: > "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -nohome
Use DDE > checked
DDE Message: > "%1 ",,-1,0,,,,
Application: > IExplore
DDE Application Not Running > blank
Topic: > WWW_OpenURL
'OK' > 'OK' > 'Apply' (if not greyed out) > 'Close' > exit

Then:
Go to Start > Run and type each of these (wih OK after each, of course):

regsvr32 Urlmon.dll

regsvr32 Shdocvw.dll

regsvr32 Oleaut32.dll

regsvr32 Actxprxy.dll

regsvr32 Mshtml.dll

 

I did all you suggested - everything was already there - application path, check DDE, DDE Message, etc.

I ran the files you suggested - all succeeded.

The only things I noticed are:

Under file types I see:

IE ICON [NONE] URL Gopher Protocol

Same for HyperText Transfer Protocol and HyperTxt Transfer Protocol with Privacy.

And further down on the list of file types I have:

IE Icon HTM HTM File

Under this one it says: you have customized file extensions with ext htm. To restore these files to their default type (HTML) click restore.

It says opens with IE, but there is no "advanced" tab.

This may be the problem.

Next is:

IE Icon HTML HTML Document

When I check the open path it reads C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" %1

DDE message the same.

There is an asterisk in the DDE Not Running window.

I don't remember customizing any settings for IE Explorer, but I do remember changing something to open Windows Explorer where I wanted it to open.

 

Hello
Hope you dont mind a beginner butting in, also dont have XP.

"I don't remember customizing any settings for IE Explorer, but I do remember changing something to open Windows Explorer where I wanted it to open. "

I recently noticed that to, for both HTM HTM File(customized)
and HTML HTML file, think maybe its to do with the recent updates, not sure , I suggest leaving them the way they are.

"I finally discovered that the files would not open when IE is running. When I close IE, the files will open. But, I can open only 1 file at a time. I tried minimizing the file that was open and opening another file. I get the same message: there is a problem sending the command. "

Maybe becouse you have explorer set to (in folder options)
[ ]launch folder windows in a seperate process,and IE set to
Open links in new windows, Internet options advanced,
[X] reuse windows for launching shortcuts.
these settings sometimes confuse windows when we view
our folders with IE visa versa

Anyway I fail to see a problem, open with either explorer or ie and its still Internet explorer ? or is it explorer gee

Regards
Lonny

 

It's not so much a problem as it is inconvenient and time consuming.

If IE is open and I want to open an htm or html file from my hard drive, I can't do it. I have to close IE. If I close IE and open 1 htm or html file, I cannot open another one without closing the first. I don't think it should be that way.

I don't have a problem with opening a new window in IE. Sometimes I have several open at once.

 

Hi zanetti
Not sure this will do it but wont hurt to try
How do you have explorer set in folder options
[ ]launch folder windows in a seperate process,

also try in Internet options ,pragrams tab place a check next to
IE should check etc hit apply then press the reset web settings button

Regards
Lonny

 

Launch folder windows in separate process is not checked.

Under Internet Options - Programs it is already checked to have IE check to see if default.

 

zanetti

I should gave been more explicate, so I will and then let the XP
users take over.

Windows sometimes gets confused , I wont hurt to toggle these
settings back and forth, sometimes we have to to get them to stick, sometimes even a reboot helps. also
Some third party browsers have a habbit of setting them selves as default, and they have an option to uncheck within them., even if in IE the check is checked change it , apply then OK out of IE options go back and place the check there then ,did you press the reset web settings ?

Same with folder options if the mentioned item wasnt checked check it hit apply and OK check to see if problem still exits
then go back and set it the way you prefer.

Hopefully Abraxas will have a better idea of whats going on,


Regards
Lonny

 

Lonny,

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did try them all.

I am wondering if it is by design - for some reason .htm files stored on the hard drive can only be opened 1 at a time in XP.

Maybe an XP user will try it on their machines and let me know.

 

Nope. They are two different but often confused things.

Explorer.exe handles files on the HD only and does not connect to the Internet.

Iexplore.exe opens IE and will connect to the Internet.

for some reason .htm files stored on the hard drive can only be opened 1 at a time in XP.
Maybe an XP user will try it on their machines and let me know.

Be very glad to. I have XP Pro.

While I was reading this thread last evening I opened Power Desk ( windows Explorer replacement ) and had 7 html files open from my Webpage files on the HD at the same time.

confusing as all hello but it worked

As I write this I have 4 open. But only one at a time shows on the screen. The rest are sitting auto minimized in the task bar.

And switching between them, PowerDesk and this BBS has no effect on the HTML files.

And when I go down and select a different one the onscreen one auto minimizes.

BillyBob

 

Bump she hasnt found an answer yet ?

"Maybe an XP user will try it on their machines and let me know. "

Regards
Lonny

 

I don't know what the answer is here but I "m using xp pro and can open any number of html files (those on my hard drive) with no problems at all. I too use PowerDesk but it makes no difference whether I use PowerDesk or Windows Explorer to open them. They always open with no problem at all.

 

Zander Question
Could this be anything

Windows update will sometimes install updates in the wrong order or let a user install in the improper order.
In help about Q822925 should be the last one in the list..

" "Known Issues:
On a Windows 2000-based or on a Windows XP-based computer, you can install the 813489 or the 818529 critical update after you install the 822925 critical update. If you do this, the updated files in the 822925 critical update are replaced by the older files in the 813489 or the 818529 critical updates. To resolve this issue, reinstall the 822925 critical update." "
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822925


Lonny

 

zanetti Hi

Ive been asking around for you .some of this youve already been throough with Abraxas , go over it and other ideas again please.

http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers2.htm#blank_windows
even if the discription of the symtoms are dissimilur

Regards
Lonny