Internet explorer does not know what program to open with

[Texashiker]

Click the internet explorer shortcut and a window opens asking what program to open internet explorer with. Go to program files - internet explorer - internet explorer.exe and the same window opens.

right click - run as - uncheck protect my computer from malicious software, and internet explorer opens fine.

or

right click - run as administrator, and internet explorer opens fine.


* system specs

Internet explorer 8
Windows xp

 

[blankslate]

Maybe I'm paranoid but I think you should move your irreplaceable files to an external drive.

Then wipe your system and reinstall windows.

then once it's reinstalled scan the external drive for malware, viruses, etc. and copy the files back over.

 

[JEDIYoda]

wow......wiping your systewm is the absolute last thing you want to do!! Very bad advice!!

 

[Pardus]

This a common issue with XP. Try these steps.

1. Are you running SP3? If not, please update.

2. Insert your windows xp cd , rum sfc /scannow as administrator in a command window

3. Reinstall IE8 for Windows XP or IE8 Standalone.

4. How to solve Internet Explorer 8 installation problems

5. http://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/59284.aspx

6. Check your firewall, av, spyware apps that may be blocking.

7. Uninstall google desktop.

 

[Chapbass]

wow......wiping your systewm is the absolute last thing you want to do!! Very bad advice!!

Didn't you look at his username? His stance is very clear.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Click the internet explorer shortcut and a window opens asking what program to open internet explorer with. Go to program files - internet explorer - internet explorer.exe and the same window opens.

right click - run as - uncheck protect my computer from malicious software, and internet explorer opens fine.

or

right click - run as administrator, and internet explorer opens fine.


* system specs

Internet explorer 8
Windows xp

There's a chance that a browser hijacker, or other malware has messed with the file associations; so I'd recommend first scanning with Malwarebytes (download the free version if you don't already have it).

If nothing turns up (no malware) after scanning, then the next step is to repair your file associations. Since you're running Windows XP; go to Doug Knox's site and download the "EXE File Association Fix" ( about 1/4 of the way down the page). Unzip the .reg file, then double-click it, select OK to merge it with the registry, and reboot.

If repairing file associations doesn't fix it; first Uninstall IE8 and reboot, then download IE8-WindowsXP-x86-ENU.exe, and reinstall.


.