Member Avatar for dsuppes

Internet Explorer opens up over and over again even in safe mode. Anyone experience this or have any idea how to stop it and then fix it?

Any help is appreciated.

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Dani AI

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This looks like an autorun/launcher problem that keeps invoking Internet Explorer at logon. It can be caused by malware, a Run/scheduled-start entry, a Startup shortcut, or even a changed shell setting. The immediate goal is to stop the loop so removal tools can run.

Disconnect the PC from the network and boot to Safe Mode with Command Prompt (F8). At the prompt run regedit and export any key you change first. Check and clean these locations for values that launch iexplore.exe or unknown EXEs:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon (verify Shell is explorer.exe and Userinit is C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe,)
    Also inspect C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Start Menu\Programs\Startup, C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup, and C:\Windows\Tasks for .lnk/.url files or scheduled tasks that spawn IE.

If entries keep relaunching IE, temporarily stop the launcher by renaming the IE binary from the command prompt, for example:
ren "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" iexplore.bak
(This buys time to run offline scans; do not delete userinit.exe or explorer.exe.)

Once the loop is broken, run an offline/bootable rescue scanner or an autorun/process analyser from removable media to remove persistent entries, then reboot normally. After cleanup, fully patch Windows, reinstall/update browsers and anti-malware, and change important passwords. If the system cannot be made stable or trusted, back up personal data and consider a clean OS reinstall.

Notes: As asked, if you can capture the exact URL or command line used to open IE do so (it helps identify the culprit). These steps expand on ’s diagnosis by showing practical ways to interrupt the loop without relying on the normal desktop.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for DMR

Have a read through the threads in our Security forum for information on how to detect and remove spyware, trojans, etc.; such an infection could cause the behaviour you're seeing with IE.

Member Avatar for dsuppes

I figured it must be a worm, adware or something of that nature. Any thoughts on how to stop it and fix the problem? The challenge is that when the computer is started in safe mode it opens and opens and opens. Not sure how to get to a spot that I can run virus/adware removers.

Member Avatar for DMR

Do the IE windows ever stop opening? That is, does the system eventually stabilize enough for you to be able to run other programs?

If so, download Ad Aware, SpyBot Search & Destroy, and HijackThis (download links are in my signature below) on another computer (to avoid having to try to use the problematic IE on your compter), burn the programs to a CD, and install them on your system that way.

Member Avatar for Kamex

What is the URL of the page being opened? Is is about:blank? Is it your homepage? Is it a file on your computer?

Member Avatar for dsuppes

It is IE itself. Once I log on to the computer, it starts to open on it's own and never stops. This happens even is safe mode.

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