Odd IE 9 behaviour

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OldGeek

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Topic # 111867 17-Nov-2012 16:31

I recently uninstalled Chrome (why is another story) and went back to IE. However IE is not successfully invoked if I click on a URL from another program. If IE is not running then clicking on a URL brings up IE with a blank page (URL needs to be psted in). If IE is running then everything works except that focus remains on the program with the URL rather than moving to IE - clicking on IE on the taskbar shows IE with the requested page in view.

I am running Win 7 64-bit with IE 9. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

TIA

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Reply # 718804 17-Nov-2012 16:35

Have you tried Internet Options | Programs and [Make Default] and check the box "Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default browser"?

Alternatively, open the Start Menu, type Default and click "Click Programs". Work your configuration there...

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OldGeek

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Reply # 718810 17-Nov-2012 16:46

freitasm: Have you tried Internet Options | Programs and [Make Default] and check the box "Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default browser"?

Alternatively, open the Start Menu, type Default and click "Click Programs". Work your configuration there...

IE is the default (and now only) browser I have installed.

gzt

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Reply # 718911 17-Nov-2012 21:30

OldGeek: However IE is not successfully invoked if I click on a URL from another program. If IE is not running then clicking on a URL brings up IE with a blank page (URL needs to be psted in). If IE is running then everything works except that focus remains on the program with the URL rather than moving to IE - clicking on IE on the taskbar shows IE with the requested page in view.

I might guess the URL handler is badly or incorrectly formatted as far as IE is concerned. Try looking in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT for the HTTP handler and compare that to a known good machine.

I'd paste mine but I'm not running Windows.

Uninstalling Internet Explorer and reinstalling might do the trick without the brain drain.

colinuu

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Reply # 718929 17-Nov-2012 22:57

A month or two back I encountered a problem after accidentally installing Chrome with some Adobe update. [It really annoys that installing Chrome happens by default with these updates, but that's another story...] Well I didn't want Chrome, so promptly uninstalled it. Afterwards I could no longer open ftp sites as folders inside Windows Explorer. Bugs like this in unwanted software uninstallers are simply not acceptable!

To cut a long story short, after spending quite a while searching the internet, the answer was to copy HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ftp from a properly functioning machine. This completely resolved the issue.

gzt's answer (or something similar) may well do the trick for you. Good luck!

gzt

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Reply # 718934 17-Nov-2012 23:10

You could also see if removing/adding/resetting it manually in default programs > file associations > http does the trick.

OldGeek

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Reply # 719730 19-Nov-2012 20:50

gzt: You could also see if removing/adding/resetting it manually in default programs > file associations > http does the trick.

The only thing I can do (at least in protocols) is a 'change program'. No Add, Delere or reset option is available. The list of 'change to' programs is always a list of one - the current program (IE for http and https).

I have also tried 'uninstalling' IE (by de-selecting it as an installed Windows feature) but I am not sure this worked. When I 'added' IE back it simply reappeared. I would have expected both processes to be a bit more convoluted and take more time.

Is it possible to get a copy of IE 9 and install it using setup.exe or equivalent?

gzt

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Reply # 719739 19-Nov-2012 20:56

You can try: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-NZ/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-9/worldwide-languages

gzt

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Reply # 719746 19-Nov-2012 21:01

Tools > Internet Options -> Advanced > Reset - probably will not help, but I guess that is worth a go, prior.

freitasm

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Reply # 719751 19-Nov-2012 21:07

Anything that would prevent you installing the IE 10 Preview available now?

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OldGeek

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Reply # 720414 20-Nov-2012 22:18

gzt: You can try: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-NZ/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-9/worldwide-languages

I did try it.

1. Run above setup program. It said a newer version of IE 9 was installed.
2. Changed the Windows installed features to de-select IE 9. Reboot.
3. Repeat 1. same result.
4. Googled 'uninstall ie 9'. Found MS article that says look in Windows Update history for IE 9. Found it - pity there were another 127 updates to wade through. Right click, select uninstall. It all works. Reboot.
5 Repeat 1 and install fails to complete with unkown error. Reboot.
6. IE 8 runs automatically and points me to Windows help resources on 'unknown error'.
7. Lightbulb moment. Run Windows Update manually. 4 Updates available (the last of which is IE 9. Download and install. 3 OK, IE fails to install with 'unkown error'. Follow link - get and run a suggested Fix program. Reboot.
8. Run Windows Update again. 1 Update available - IE 9. Install it. Success!!!! Reboot.
9. Run IE. Its 9!!. Run Windows Update again. 1 new update for IE 9. Install. Reboot.
10. Up comes IE 9. Existing settings intact - including favourites etc.
11. Test to see if my problem has been fixed. No. Bugger.

But at least I know how to uninstall IE 9 properly now 8-|

OldGeek

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Reply # 720418 20-Nov-2012 22:21

freitasm: Anything that would prevent you installing the IE 10 Preview available now?

Yep. Its new and from MS.

gzt

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Reply # 720447 20-Nov-2012 23:09

I was hoping someone would paste up a relatively clean Win7 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTP key for you to compare. That hasn't happened yet.

colinuu

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Reply # 720456 20-Nov-2012 23:21

gzt: I was hoping someone would paste up a relatively clean Win7 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTP key for you to compare. That hasn't happened yet.

On my laptop (Windows 7 32 bit) that key is empty apart from the usual unset default value. There is a subkey called "Extensions" which is also empty.

gzt

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Reply # 720457 20-Nov-2012 23:27

You may need to explicitly run regedit as an administrator.

gzt

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Reply # 720459 20-Nov-2012 23:36

gzt: Try looking in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT for the HTTP handler and compare that to a known good machine.

Actually, this key is built per user logon.

Log on as a different user.

If IE works correctly for the new user then we can think about which key to export.

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