IE10 Not in Default Program List

I am running Windows 8 but IE10 which is in the start menu and pinned to the task bad, does not show up on the list of default programs. I also have Firefox on my computer because one of my business sources only works well with that browser. On the screen "Choose programs windows uses by default" on the next choice down under default programs it says "Associate a File type or protocol with a program." When I choose this path I see several Firefox associations but when I click on them to change the program for that protocol, once again there is no IE.

 

I have tried this but when I get to "Set Your Default Programs," Internet Explorer is not on the list to choose from.

 

I had tried the solution you offered and did so again to make sure it matched your instructions. Still no IE in my programs list. As a matter of fact there are none of my Office Pro 2010 Plus programs in the list. I am using Windows 8 so it looks a little different, but not much is there. I took a .jpg of the default program screen but don't know how to attach it to this post.

 

Thanks for the tip Tony. Unfortunately, there is no "Hidden" value under HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Internet Explorer/Capabilities
and no "Capabilities" under
HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Internet Explorer.

 

How to restore, refresh, or reset your PC

 

Thanks Doc, but I don't which would be worse the illness or the cure! The options at the windows link you offered presented 3 choices:

...you can try to restore, refresh, or reset it.
Restoring your PC is a way to undo recent system changes you've made.
Refreshing your PC reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files, settings, and the apps that came with your PC and apps that you installed from Windows Store.
Resetting your PC reinstalls Windows but deletes your files, settings, and apps—except for the apps that came with your PC.

Since my problem is not recent "Restoring" it does not seem to be the correct option.
"Refreshing" it would delete dozens of apps from companies I work with/for and cause a great deal of distress to get reinstalled.
"Resetting" would probably result in my hanging myself!!!

Given the inconvenience of not having the default programs as they should be and the above 3 choices I think I would opt to just keep hobbling along as is.
But I do thank you for your help. I would like to fix it all, but the question is; At what price?

 

Well I hope you back up your system, I dread to think what would happen in the event of a Hard Drive failure!

 

I had an HD failure some years ago and lost almost everything. Yes, I was seen walking around the neighborhood with a length of rope looking for a tall tree! Fortunately, it was a new neighborhood with only saplings! I now have 2 hard drives on my computer. #1 has the OS and all of the programs on it. #2 has the output from all the programs, downloaded programs, and anything I create. I do back them both up with Carbonite, both at their site and via a 3Tb portable HD next to my computer. They have helped me a couple of times when a program "went south" and lost its mind! Still...it would be nice to have Windows work as it says it should. I have an idea...why don't we ask the Gates Foundation for a charitable donation for Microsoft since it is sick and broken most of the time!

 

Good, Good

I'm not sure how well that would go down in Africa, but since this was your idea I assume it's fine that you request it!... (So we don't get lambasted!)

 

Since Bill did not take care of the "undisclosed features" users found in Windows when he was involved, there is no reason to believe he would do so now. Unfortunately, having Windows bug free is as realistic an expectation as having the Gates Foundation become involved in creating it. Hopefully everyone reading this will realize that my suggestion is nothing more than a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek, fantasy.
Thanks for everyone's help in trying to fix my missing default programs.