Hi,
I hit a weird combination of keys and now my Internet URL shortcuts that I have dragged to my desktop no longer work. Everytime I click on a URL shortcut on my desktop I get a prompt to download the .html file rather than automatically opening IE and going to the website like it normally did. Anyone have any ideas on how I can get it back to normal? Thanks!

right click on the icon and open up Properties. Check the path to the IE program, should be something like

"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE"

if it isnīt find the correct path and stick it in there. If it is correct, and still doesnīt work why donīt you just delete it and drag a new shortcut onto your desktop?

hey sic,

thank you for responding...but i noticed that EVERY time i drag a NEW shortcut from my browser to the desktop they ALL have the same problem. that is, the shortcuts, when clicked on, no longer opens up an instance of IE. this is the actual problem...i get an error that says:

"This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel."

I got this problem ever since I installed Netscape Navigator. Once i'm in the folder options control panel i don't how to "create an association" with the URL type file...

mathew

so the problem is only with IE? Are you sure you are creating the shortcut from the IE.exe? Did you check the path like I said? If so, maybe your IE installation is corrupt.

Start with the easy answers first (ie am i creating the shortcut from the correct file, is the path correct) than maybe move to more drastic measures (you can "fix" an installation of IE or uninstall it completely to the previous version you had installed).

By the way, I believe if you uninstall IE it gives you the option to "fix" the current installation or uninstall it.

the odd thing is that this happened right after you installed Netscape. What version of netscape was it? Did you select NS as your default browser? Shouldnīt cause this problem, but leave no stone unturned...

By the way, can you open IE from the start menu of from the program folder?

so the problem is only with IE? yes, IE is my standard browser and double-clicking on URL shortcuts no longer opens an instance of IE.
Are you sure you are creating the shortcut from the IE.exe? I create the shortcut from within IE by dragging the "e" icon from my browser to my desktop.
Did you check the path like I said? yes, right clicking on the Properties Tab of the URL does not reveal the path. in the shortcut key field it says "None". i tried sticking in the correct path there but the field is not editable, i.e. i can't type into it.
i've already "fixed" the internet explorer from the Add/Remove Programs option in the control panel. nothing changes.
What version of netscape was it? Netscape Navigator 4.0
Did you select NS as your default browser? no.
By the way, can you open IE from the start menu of from the program folder? Yes. yes i can.

Do you how I can properly associate the URL file tape with IE (and have it open IE to launch the URL) from Folder Options in Windows Explorer? thank you sic!

I HAVE THE ANSWER!!..I CAME HERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM-TRIED THE SUGGESTIONS-NO LUCK-THEN THROUGH SOME TINKERING I FIGURED OUT THE SOLUTION...HERE IT IS>> GO TO INTERNET OPTIONS>>CLICK ON "PROGRAMS" TAB>>CLICK ON "RESET WEB SETTINGS" BAR AT BOTTOM OF PAGE & ALSO PUT CHECKMARK(IF IT ISN'T CHECKED ALREADY)ON>>"INT. EXPL. SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF IT IS THE DEFAULT BROWSER"<