Member Avatar for Catnip

I'm having some trouble opening links on my machine at work. This is happening in Outlook, and also I batch file that I wrote for tracking packages online.
In outlook, when you click on the link, IE opens, but the URL of the link isn't there, and IE just hangs. Same thing with the batch file. I've checked my browser settings, and everything seems kosher. Spyware is not the problem.
Any ideas?

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This is a common OS-level problem rather than an Outlook bug: when the system’s http/https/htmlfile handlers or Internet Explorer’s COM/DLL registrations are damaged, Outlook (and scripts) will launch IE but no URL is passed. That matches ’s registry/DLL suspicion and makes ’s reboot suggestion a reasonable first check. Microsoft documents the same symptom and recommends resetting IE/default‑program settings and repairing registry associations. (Microsoft: Hyperlinks are not working in Outlook). (learn.microsoft.com)

Non‑destructive checks to isolate the problem: confirm a browser can open a typed URL (paste a full https:// URL into Start → Run or the browser address bar); verify a default browser is set in Default Programs; use Internet Options → Advanced → Reset (or Programs → Reset Web Settings on older IE) and then reassign the default programs. If the OS handler fails to open a pasted URL, the issue is at Windows/IE level, not Outlook. (learn.microsoft.com)

If resets don’t help, re‑register common IE/URL components from an elevated prompt and reboot. Typical commands (enter one line at a time):

regsvr32 urlmon.dll
regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 mshtml.dll
regsvr32 actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 browseui.dll
regsvr32 shell32.dll

Registering these DLLs is a well‑known remedy and is documented in older Microsoft guidance and community troubleshooting. Run the commands as administrator, accept success dialogs, then restart. ()

If links still fail, inspect the following registry entries (after backing up the registry): HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.html (default should be htmlfile) and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmlfile\shell\open\command (default must point to the browser executable and include the %1 argument). Microsoft’s article shows exporting the htmlfile\shell\open\command key from a known‑good machine and importing it as a safe fix. If none of the above resolves the issue, run sfc /scannow, consider repairing/reinstalling IE (or the default browser), or escalate to system support. (learn.microsoft.com)

Notes: third‑party “IEFix” utilities are commonly suggested (as indicated) but prefer the Microsoft steps first and always back up the registry before making changes.

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Member Avatar for Comatose

Have You Rebooted?

Member Avatar for Catnip

Yeah. I think it maybe a problem in the registry, or a dll. Outlook just doesn't seem to pass link url's to IE

Member Avatar for helloimtim

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