Well as dumb as this sounds, i actually found the problem.

I finally decided to do the ultimate virus scan and install ubuntu into my unpartitioned disk space and see if the same problem still occurs (browser windows opening on their own), and to my surprise, it did.

So in ubuntu i was able to monitor key presses and turns out the special key built into my laptop that opens up an internet browser window was basically pressing itself randomly (even though i have never used this key before). This key is easily disabled in ubuntu so now even if it presses itself, nothing happens and i never know about it.

In case anyone is wondering, the make/model of my laptop mobo/keyboard combo is MiTac 8355. Ive noticed several threads spread out over these forums about people on laptops specifically having browser windows open on their own, and the answer may be that your special function button (next to your power button) is basically pressing itself randomly (assuming it wasnt a virus/spyware).

So the next step is to find a windows keyboard remapping program that lets you re-program your keyboard and you should be able to just turn that button off so the problem never happens again.

So, in conclusion, if youve got a laptop, and your email client or web browser keeps opening on its own, and your positive it cant be a virus, then youve got a hardware problem with your buttons and you should either contact your manufacturer and see what you can do about it, or disable the button in software.


Thanks for the help anyway