Various Office apps launch spontaneously while using IE

[Casca]

Various Office apps launch spontaneously while using IE8. I do not seem to need to click a link to cause this. Well, maybe I do. I am just reading along and an Office app will launch. Most often, PowerPoint.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Hmm, the internet doesn't have much on this. What other Office programs have done this, besides PowerPoint? Has it ever happened while using a different browser, such as Chrome or Firefox? Try to see if there's a pattern based on what websites you're visiting, even if you don't find that it's caused by clicking anything.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[Casca]

In XP, there was something akin to 'IE hosted file types' and I would often see XL and PP listed under such a heading. I never messed with the setting.

I reference that since I am now experiencing a connection between IE8 and Office. Excel and PowerPoint are the main culprits, but I think Word popped up recently.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

You could check which file types are associated with PowerPoint, Excel, etc. by typing "change file type" in the Start menu search field and clicking the first result. If there's anything weird, delete the association and see if it helps.

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[Casca]

No joy there.

I did disable a small handful of MS Office IE add-ons from within IE.

Will report results and spefic add-ons (after some surfin').

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Ah, that was a good call. I'm betting that was it, but let us know!

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[Casca]

Well, no spontaneously generated Office apps - Until This Very Moment!

Seriously.

I have been using the onscreen keyboard and PP launched when I clicked the predictive word "spontaneously" - and it just did it again, but not when I clicked any other predictive words.

I do not use the word "spontaneously" (did it again) frequently.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Wait, are you serious? This has got to be the most bizarre thing I have ever heard of Windows 7 doing... I honestly have no idea. Run your anti-virus software, maybe?

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[Casca]

Indeed. Bizarre, if not incredulous.

As I was preparing my morning espresso, I was wondering if I would have to video the process and effect. Strange that only some letter combinations seem to create the effect.

The phenomenon presents in other applications as well - not just while using IE.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Did you try running anti-virus? Here's a free video screen capture program if you want to show us what's happening: HyperCam I'm very curious to find out. What other applications are you experiencing this with?

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[Casca]

I passed on the toolbarware. Here is the zipped mht file created w/ Win7 Screen Recorder.

 

[Casca]

Happens in all the apps I use. Some words do not generate the effect. "spontaneously' is not the only word that generates the effect.

MS SE scan completed.

stand by - odd process detected. srvany.exe

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

srvany.exe doesn't appear to be suspicious: srvany.exe Windows process - What is it?

But I really don't know what could be causing this. I guess if you're feeling motivated, do some more detective work and figure out exactly what key combos cause this...

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[Casca]

Yes, srvany passed the smell test, I just don't know what is using it. I do not like 'not knowing'.

As for the anomaly, I suspect the Office 2010 install. I did an in place upgrade.

In the coming days, I will be rearranging RAID arrays (to place a 6 drive RAID5 on the Intel Matrix controller and moving my boot array to another controller). This should eliminate the problem.

I should close this thread, unsolved, as I am not wont of deciphering the specific cause. But, I will continue to 'background process' because that is my nature. Specifically, I will look for key combos. I wonder if the pesky SendKeys from VBA is involved.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Sure, whatever you prefer. The irony of the word "spontaneously" triggering a spontaneous program launch just kills me, though So meta.

As usual, let us know if anything turns up.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[Casca]

...

 

[Casca]

Re-installed 7x64 and Office 2010 x64.

Problem spontaneously vanished.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Wow, that's great Casca! Did you do a Repair Install? Was there anything else about your solution a future reader should know about?

I'll flag this thread to be marked 'Solved'.

Walker
Windows Outreach Team