Clicking a hyperlink does not work

[donnyb]

When I click on a link, the new window opens up, but nothing happens. This happens in my browser, in programs, and any place where there is a hyperlink. However, there is one place where the links DO work and that is my desktop shortcuts. Any ideas?

I am using Windows 7 - 64 bit.

 

[Brink]

Hello Donny,

Double check in Default Programs to make sure that Internet Explorer is set as the default program with all of it's associations set to open with it as well.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[donnyb]

I did that, but they all had check marks in them. I did notice that all the check marks were grey and I could not uncheck them. The problem I have shows up in all hyperlinks, not just my browser.

 

[Brink]

You might see if downloading and merging the .htm, .html, and .url options in the tutorial below may be able to help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

If not, then you can do a system restore using a restore point dated before this problem started to hopefully fix it.

 

[donnyb]

I did those things, but nothing seems to work. Also, there is no restore point that is saved. I suspect that I had a virus, which I deleted during a virus scan. I use MS Security Essentials and Avira. Both found a few things I did not recognize that were related to browser attacks. Could it be that the nasties did their thing (including deleting the restore points) and then I scanned and deleted them, but now the effects are still there? By effects, I mean the hyperlinks do not work. By the way, when I do the changes suggested, I go back to some of your suggestions and the links open a window, but the open window just seems to be loading, but it never does. Is there a way to get the hyperlink function back?

 

[Hopalong X]

donnyb

Try this tutorial. As stated it resets IE to defaults just like from the factory.
This should fix it. Let us know.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1222-internet-explorer-reset.html

 

[donnyb]

I reset IE, then I reset it again including the personal settings, but the problem is still there. Any ideas?

 

[Brink]

You might consider a repair install to fix this without losing anything.

 

[mikedl]

Hi, donnyb!

Do you receive any type of error message?

I encountered a similar issue with FireFox (Minefield) on a few occasions and deleting a few registry keys solved the issue. In my case, it turned out to be a bug in the FireFox (Minefield) beta pre installer so this will not be the cause of your issue but the fix may work just the same.

NOTE: DO NOT attempt this fix if you are unfamiliar with the registry.

First, Back-up the registry.

Open regedit by typing it into the search window on the start menu and then tapping [ENTER].

Navigate to the following keys and delete each one:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\https\shell\open\ddeexec
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\shell\open\ddeexec

Reboot (the keys will be restored).

 

[donnyb]

I tried the regedit suggestion, but it did not fix it? Am I going to have to re-install Windows? I sure hope not.

 

[mikedl]

Sorry it didn't work for you.

Refer back to Brink's post regarding a repair install, donnyb.

Please keep us informed.