…to handle issues like when you click a hyperlink on a webpage or in an email message, nothing happens. Internet Explorer does not open the webpage.
Such a behavior may occur for one or more of the following reasons:
- A corrupted browser choice setting may cause Windows to misinterpret which browser is set as the default browser on your computer.
- Settings were changed after a software installation that cause webpages not to work correctly.
- A previously installed browser or add-on may be interfering with other software on your computer.
- Registry key were changed or became corrupted.
Method 1: Check your default web browser setting
In Microsoft Windows, you can select which web browser to use by default. To make Internet
Explorer your default web browser, follow these steps:
- To open Internet Explorer, click Start, and then click Internet Explorer.
- If you are prompted whether you want Internet Explorer to be your default browser, click Yes. This is all that you have to do.
If a message does not appear, go to the next step. - Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
- Click the Programs tab, and then click Make default.
- Click OK, and then close Internet Explorer.
Note Your changes will take effect the next time that you start Internet Explorer.
Check whether the problem is resolved. If the problem is resolved, you are finished with this article. If the problem is not resolved, try the next method.
<h6>Method 2: Change the file types that Internet Explorer opens by default</h6> </b><b>For Windows 7 and Windows Vista <br /></b> <ol> <li>Close any Internet Explorer windows that are open. </li> <li>Click <b>Start</b>, and then click <b>Control Panel</b>. </li> <li>Click <b>Programs</b>, and then click <b>Set your default programs</b>. </li> <li>On the <b>Programs</b> menu, click <b>Internet Explorer</b>, and then click <b>Choose defaults for this program</b>. </li> <li>Make sure that the check boxes for <b>.htm</b>, <b>.</b><b>html</b>, and <b>.url </b>are selected, and then click <b>Save</b>. </li> <li>Click <b>OK</b>. <br /><b>Note</b> Your changes will take effect the next time that you start Internet Explorer. </li> </ol> <b>For Windows XP <br /></b> <ol> <li>To open Windows Explorer, right-click <b>Start</b>, and then click <b>My Computer</b>. </li> <li>On the<b> Tools </b>menu, click <b>Folder Options</b>, and then click the<b> File Types </b>tab. </li> <li>Locate and select the<b> HTM </b>file type. </li> <li>Make sure that Internet Explorer is selected as the<b> Opens with </b>program. If Internet Explorer is not selected, click <b>Change</b>, select <b>Internet </b><b>Explorer</b> as the recommended program, and then click <b>OK</b>. </li> <li>Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the following file types: <br />HTML <br />ITS <br />MHT <br />MTHML <br />XML <br />XSL</li> </ol> Check whether the problem is resolved. If the problem is resolved, you are finished with this article, If the problem is not resolved, go to the next method. <b> <h6> </h6> <h6>Method 3: Use the Internet Explorer (No Add-ons) mode</h6> </b>Although browser add-ons can improve your online experience, they can occasionally interfere or conflict with other software on your computer. However, be aware that some webpages, or Internet Explorer itself, might not be displayed correctly if an add-on is disabled. First, start Internet Explorer with add-ons temporarily disabled to see whether the problem is resolved. (Add-ons will be disabled only until you restart Internet Explorer in the usual way). To do this, follow these steps: <ul> <li>Click <b>Start</b>, type Internet Explorer in the <strong>Search</strong> box, and then click <b>Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)</b>. <br /><b>Note</b> For Windows XP, click <b>Start</b>, right-click the Internet Explorer icon, and then click <strong>Browse without add-ons</strong>.</li> </ul> If Internet Explorer No Add-ons resolves the problem, follow these steps to identify the browser add-on that is causing the problem: <ol> <li>To start Internet Explorer, click <b>Start</b>, and then click <b>Internet Explorer</b>. </li> <li>Click the <b>Tools</b> button, and then click <b>Manage add-ons</b>. </li> <li>Click an add-on in the <b>Name</b> list, and then click <b>Disable</b>. Test Internet Explorer. </li> <li>Repeat step 3 until you identify the add-on that is causing the problem. </li> </ol> Check whether the problem is resolved. If the problem is resolved, you are finished with this article. If the problem is not resolved, try the next method. <h6><b></b></h6> <h6><b>Method 4: Reset Internet Explorer settings <br /></b></h6> If the problem is caused by damaged or incompatible Internet Explorer settings or add-ons, you can usually resolve the problem by resetting Internet Explorer settings to their default settings.  <br />Resetting Internet Explorer’s settings is not reversible. After a reset, all previous settings are lost and cannot be recovered. When you restore Internet Explorer’s default settings, some webpages that rely on previously stored cookies, form data, passwords, or previously installed browser add-ons might not work correctly. However, resetting Internet Explorer to its default settings does not delete your favorites, feeds, or several other personal settings.  <br />To Reset Internet Explorer Settings, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Close all open Internet Explorer windows. </li> <li>Click <b>Start, </b>type <b>inetcpl.cpl </b>in the Search box and then click<b> inetcpl.cpl </b>in the programs list.  <br />The <b>Internet Options </b>dialog box appears. <br /><b>Note</b> for Windows XP, click <b>Start</b>, click <b>Run</b>, type <b>inetcpl.cpl </b>in the Open box, and then click <b>OK</b>. </li> <li>Click the<b> Advanced </b>tab. </li> <li>Under <b>Reset Internet Explorer Settings</b>, click <b>Reset</b>. Then click <b>Reset</b> again. </li> <li>When Internet Explorer finishes resetting the settings, click <b>Close</b> in the <b>Reset Internet Explorer Settings </b>dialog box. </li> <li>Start Internet Explorer again. <br />Your changes will take effect the next time you open Internet Explorer.  <br /><b>Note</b> Your changes will take effect the next time that you start Internet Explorer. </li> </ol> <h6>Method 5: Reregister the necessary Internet Explorer DLL files </h6> <b>Note</b> This information applies to Windows XP <br />To reregister the DLL files, follow these steps: <ol> <li>Click <b>Start</b>, click <b>All Programs</b>, click <b>Accessories</b>, right-click <b>cmd, </b>and then select <b>Run as administrator</b>. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. </li> <li>Type regsvr32 urlmon.dll in the <b>Open</b> box, and then click <b>OK</b>. </li> <li>Click <b>OK</b> when you receive the confirmation. </li> <li>Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the following commands:  <br />regsvr32 mshtml.dll <br />regsvr32 shdocvw.dll <br />regsvr32 browseui.dll <br />regsvr32 msjava.dll</li> </ol> Check whether the problem is resolved. If the problem is resolved, you are finished with this article. If the problem is not fixed, go to the next section. <p><a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/175775#top"><img alt="" src="http://support.microsoft.com/library/images/support/kbgraphics/public/en-us/uparrow.gif" />Back to the top</a></p> <h5>Advanced troubleshooting</h5> This section is intended for more advanced computer users. <h6>Method 1: Create a new user account</h6> For more information about user profiles, see "<a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-are-user-profiles">What are user profiles.</a>&
quot;
For method details, visit the following Microsoft websites:
Windows 7: Fix a corrupted user profile
Windows Vista: Fix a corrupted user profile
Windows XP: How to create and configure user accounts in Windows XP
Method 2: Use System Restore
System restore uses "restore points" to return your system files and settings to an earlier point in time without affecting your personal files. Restore points are created automatically every week and just before significant system events, such as the installation of a program, a device, or a driver.
Before you start System Restore, save any open files and close all programs. After you confirm your restore point, System Restore restarts your computer. To perform a System Restore, follow these steps:
For Windows 7 and Windows Vista
- Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click System Restore. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- Click Next on the System Restore page.
- Select the system restore date or description to which you want to restore the system.
Note If you don’t see the particulate date that you are looking for, select Show more dates, and then select the target date - In the confirmation window, click Finish.
Your computer will restart. When the process is complete, you will receive a confirmation message.
For Windows XP
- Log on to Windows by using an account that has administrative permissions.
- Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click System Restore.
- On the Welcome to System Restore page, click to select the Restore my computer to an earlier time option, and then click Next.
- On the Select a Restore point page, click the most recent system restore point in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next.
- On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous windows XP configuration and then restarts the computer.
- Log on to the computer as an Administrator. Then, click OK on the system Restore Restoration Complete page.
Your computer will restart. When the process is complete, you will receive a confirmation message.
If you use System Restore to resolve a problem but the problem remains or other problems are introduced, you can undo the restore operation. After you undo the restore, you can try using a different restore point. To undo a System Restore operation, follow these steps:
- Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click System Restore.
- Click Undo System Restore, and then click Next.
- Review your choices and then click Finish.
Your computer will restart. When the process is completed, you will receive a confirmation.
Additional Support
Check whether the problem is resolved. If the problem is resolved, you are finished with this article. If the problem is not resolved, you can also use Microsoft Customer Support Services to find other solutions. Microsoft Customer Support Services include the following:
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Find technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
Solution Centers: View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
Microsoft Answers: Contact counterparts, peers, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).
Other support options: Ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.
If you continue to experience problems with Internet Explorer or if you want to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback, visit the following Microsoft website:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus#tab0
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p>Reference: Nothing happens when you click a link in Internet Explorer
