Member Avatar for pityocamptes

I installed a popup blocker a few days ago and got sick of it since it blocked my ability to read e-mails, write, etc. through AOL. It also would not allow me to click on the link of one site to another (new window would not appear or "pop up". This is still happening even after I uninstalled the software. Did it change the internet registry? If so what do I need to change in order to view pop up pages, hyperlinks, etc.? Thanks.:sad:

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by TallCool1

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Quick diagnostic and recovery steps for IE (after installing/uninstalling FreeSurfer)

FreeSurfer installations commonly leave a background executable (often shown as fs20.exe) and a startup/Run entry; those leftovers or a Browser Helper Object (BHO)/toolbar are the usual cause when links or new windows stop working. (bleepingcomputer.com)

Lowest‑risk quick test (isolates add‑ons)

  • Launch Internet Explorer with add‑ons disabled to see whether an extension is blocking new windows:

    iexplore.exe -extoff

    If links work in No‑Add‑ons mode, the problem is an add‑on/BHO. Use the built‑in Add‑ons manager or Autoruns (Sysinternals) to disable toolbars, BHOs and any “freesurfer”/fs20 startup entries, then reboot and retest. (learn.microsoft.com)

Check and remove leftovers (safe order)

  • Uninstall Free Surfer from Add/Remove Programs if still present.
  • Inspect startup autostarts (HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and similar) with Autoruns or msconfig; remove or uncheck any freesurfer / fs20.exe entries. If the program folder remains (e.g., C:\Program Files\Free Surfer), delete it after stopping the process. Always create a System Restore point before manual registry edits. (bleepingcomputer.com)

When to reset or roll back

  • If disabling add‑ons and removing leftovers don’t help, reset Internet Explorer to defaults (Internet Options → Advanced → Reset) to restore IE configuration. If the install modified system settings more broadly, restore the machine to a point before the FreeSurfer install using System Restore. For cases where network/hooking components seem broken, rebuilding the TCP/IP/Winsock stacks can help (for example: netsh winsock reset then reboot). If all else fails, repair or reinstall Internet Explorer. (support.microsoft.com)

Cautions

  • Back up the registry and create a restore point before editing or deleting registry keys.
  • Autoruns is recommended because it lists BHOs, Run keys and other persistence points so entries can be disabled safely without manual registry deletion. (id.scribd.com)

References: Microsoft support (IE reset, No‑Addons test), Sysinternals Autoruns, and startup references showing FreeSurfer entries. (support.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for TallCool1

I installed a popup blocker a few days ago and got sick of it since it blocked my ability to read e-mails, write, etc. through AOL. It also would not allow me to click on the link of one site to another (new window would not appear or "pop up". This is still happening even after I uninstalled the software. Did it change the internet registry? If so what do I need to change in order to view pop up pages, hyperlinks, etc.?

Which pop-up blocker was it? It should not have made unreversed changes to your Registry, though I think you are correct in assuming that that's what happened. Try Googling on the program name (in quotes) and the phrase new window (also in quotes) and see what turns up.

Heve you checked your settings: Tools -> Internet Options -> Security? I can't say exactly what settings might need changing, but it won't hurt to check.

As to a pop-up blocker, that's one of the main reasons that I run Mozilla, but a good pop-up blocker for IE (and useful in general) is the .

Member Avatar for pityocamptes

It was "freesurfer" popup blocker. Most worthless piece of crap that I have every used. Not only that but it now seems to have screwed the settings up. Thanks.

Member Avatar for TallCool1

It was "freesurfer" popup blocker. Most worthless piece of crap that I have every used. Not only that but it now seems to have screwed the settings up. Thanks.

Apparently, this has been an ongoing . I found this by searching like I said to.

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