Solved Outlook links only working if IE9 already active

[daddon]

I have a strange problem when clicking on links in outlook messages - they only work if IE9 is active. At that point, a new tab is opened in IE, and the link works. If IE is not already active, I receive “Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage.” If I then click on the Home button, I still receive the same message.
Troubleshooting steps already taken:
1. All Windows updates applied
2. Deep scan run with Norton - some cookies removed, but no viruses found.
3. IE "reset" option applied.
Can anyone suggest other steps I might take? Or better, provide a solution?
Note: I prefer not to change browsers, if possible. Obviously, rebuilding the system is the last thing I'd like to do - I think I'd rather live with the problem until some issue I can't live with requires that step.
Also, I've searched for solutions already posted, both in this forum and via Google search. I've found nothing so far, but it's possible I'm not identifying the issue in the same manner that another person might.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

You might try a repair of Office.
(Grasping at straws here.)

 

[daddon]

Well, I'm a few more steps into the maze...
Office Repair did not correct the issue.
I saw a very brief display of ieframe.dll during my efforts, and thought perhaps the dll was corrupted. Efforts to resolve that (or replace it) have not gotten anywhere. It may still be the cause, but I thought perhaps the next steps I took would fix it. After uninstalling IE9, I was able to duplicate the issue with IE8. After reinstalling IE9, the issue remains, so I don't think the dll is the root cause.
I'm still scratching my head over this one.
The only other impairment seems to be an inability to follow a link within a website to make a purchase. (This may be unique to the particular website, and not be a part of the same issue.)
Anyone have any suggestions? I may decide to just live with this rather than spending much more time on it - at least until something serious breaks and I have to rebuild the system.

 

[UsernameIssues]

There is always this...
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
...but I fear that it will come up clean.

The only thing that I can think of is Norton is "protecting" you:
If Outlook starts IE...
...then shut off the internet for all links (home page too).
If it Outlook did not start IE...
...then allow the link to work.

This would mean that Norton has barfed as that is not a sane way to protect.

You could uninstall Norton and test with MSE for while.
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us

 

[daddon]

I've decided to just live with the issue, hoping it will go away the next time I have to rebuild my OS.

 

[abhinani24]

I have doubt here a system restore will not work here ??