Set default browser through group policy?

[Booty]

I had all our users on Firefox, but the company who writes our database application came out with an upgrade that now requires Internet Explorer (the reports function relies on Crystal Reports, which rely on an ActiveX control to print reports properly... it sucks). So I'm looking for a way to set everyone's default browser back to IE through GP.

The other thing I'd like to be able to do is install that one ActiveX control through GP - my other choices would be giving everyone local admin privledges (no thanks) or install it manually one machine at a time (not ideal).

Actually, what would be absolutely great would be if the database app opened up the reports stuff in IE by default instead of whatever the default browser is. Then I could keep Firefox as their web browser but also have the reports working properly.

Any input? TIA

 

[Booty]

bump - if anyone at least knows the registry settings, that'd be a start... I'm having no luck on google so far.

 

[KB]

Tell the application developers that they suck. Can they use Crystal Web reports which generates HTML based web reports instead of an ActiveX control embedded on a web site? Actually I have never heard of crystal using an ActiveX control embedded on a web site so you might want to chekc on that.

You can deploy an ActiveX control via group policy; however it will have to be installed via an MSI package. You can use InstallShield or similar tools to build the MSI.

For setting IE as default browser use this reg file: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/reg/IE_Default_Browser.reg

Firefox can not call on IE to load up and display the reports.

 

[Booty]

Thanks for the replies - I may have been a little unclear, but the html reports aren't the problem, really... the active control issue comes in when they need to print the reports from the crystal viewer. That, and when they go to generate reports, there's one page that, for whatever reason, doesn't load all the page controls properly. I already voiced my opinion on the 'suckiness' of the crystal funcitonality, but even if they do listen and change it, I'll have to find a way to make due with it as is for a while.

With your replies, I should be good to go for now... thanks again.