Clicking on Links Does Not Automatically Open Default Browser


  1. Posts : 17
    W7 64
       #1

    Clicking on Links Does Not Automatically Open Default Browser


    When clicked from two different locations (the Task Bar and the Desktop), icons that have legitimate URLs will not automatically open and display in the default Firefox browser. To test, I have changed the default browser to IE, but the same thing happens, nothing: there is a momentary hourglass appearance but no webpage is displayed. Firefox is listed as the Default Browser for all other extensions (.com, .htm, .html. etc.), yet no webpage appears when links are clicked outside of the browser itself.

    Links do appear as webpages if they are 1) copy and pasted into the browser's address bar or 2) clicked within the browser.

    Since this has previously worked successfully, I surely did something wrong. Woe is me. Where to start...?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,326
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #2

    Go into default programs and double check. Then go into firefoxes setting and check it is the default program. The try opening it again. If that doesnt work consider trying with a new link. Or go into windows explorer and write google in the top bar. This should also open the default program as a check
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17
    W7 64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Other Possibilities?


    Thanks for the response. I again tried your possible solutions:

    1) I rechecked and confirmed the default browser as Firefox in "Default Programs"
    2) I confirmed inside Firefox that it is indeed the default browser
    3) I have tried unsuccessfully to open other different links (if this is what you meant)
    4) I wrote out "Google" in the top bar of Windows Explorer and then pressed Enter, but nothing happened and nothing opened.

    I have also discovered that clicking on links (like HELP) from inside other programs will not display in the browser.

    Are there other possibilities for solutions?
    Last edited by SeaBix; 29 Dec 2012 at 15:41. Reason: Adding more information.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #4

    You might try restoring the default file associations

    Default File Type Associations - Restore

    I would also run the System File Checker and see if it corrects any problems

    SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

    A Guy
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17
    W7 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Fixed: Browser Not Automatically Displaying Links


    I followed the procedure to restore default applications (which is different than selecting a default program), and it worked!

    Oddly, Internet Explorer did not automatically launch when I then selected a link (after the reset procedure), but Firefox did. And this is exactly what I intended all along.

    Many thanks for the help.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #6

    Great, glad you got it sorted If you have FF as default, then you are good to go. A Guy
      My Computer


 

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