Member Avatar for Windelkron

I recently discovered the wonder that is Opera 7.0. (I'm also using Avant on the side.) However, ALL programs refuse to open links in anything other than IE. For example, if I'm on AIM and someone sends me a link, if I click on it it'll open an IE window. Same thing happens in help files, etc.

I've already set Opera as my default browser, and I went into add/remove programs and disabled access to IE. But the problem persists! Do I have to edit something in the registry to get rid of this problem? I hate IE :x

thanks in advance :)

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Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and what to try next (quick, safe steps and a deeper fallback)

As pointed out, some programs ignore the user “default browser” and either call Internet Explorer directly or rely on the protocol/file-type handlers still bound to IE. Start with the non-destructive checks first, then repair the registry entries if needed.

Try these in order

  1. Run Opera’s built-in “Make default browser” and then use Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Set Program Access and Defaults to set Opera and hide IE (as @Dani recommended).
  2. In Windows XP open My Computer -> Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types. Find the protocol entries named "URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol" and "URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol (Secure)" and change the associated program to Opera. Also change the handlers for .htm and .html to Opera.
  3. If a specific program (IM client, help viewer, etc.) still opens IE, check that program’s settings — some old IM clients hard-code IE or an embedded browser.

If those don’t work: check/fix the registry (backup first)

  • Export the registry or create a System Restore point before editing.
  • Check these keys (per-user and system protocol/file type handlers):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\http\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\https\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmlfile\shell\open\command
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet

The default command string for Opera should point to the Opera executable and pass the URL (example):

"C:\Program Files\Opera\opera.exe" "%1"

Cautions and next steps

  • Back up before any registry changes. If unsure, rerun Opera’s installer and choose “set as default” / “repair” instead of manual edits. If an app truly calls IEXPLORE.EXE directly, only changing that app (or using a wrapper) will stop IE from launching. To see exactly what is launched when you click a link, use Process Monitor (Sysinternals) to capture the process/command line. Useful references: Microsoft Support and Opera Help.

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Member Avatar for Dani

As far as I know, there's no way to permanently disable IE being as it's fully integrated into the Windows Explorer. However, if Opera is set at your default browser, there's no reason that IE should be opening up via AIM, etc. Some programs aren't nice in that they don't check first to see what your default browser is but instead always open IE. However, it doesn't seem right that *ALL* programs refuse to open links in Opera. Hmm .. :/ Sorry I don't know what else to try other than to set Opera as your default. In addition, to going into Add/Remove proggies and then to Set Program Access and Defaults to make sure Opera is your current browser and access to IE is disabled. :(

Member Avatar for Zachery

it would help if we knew what version of windows you were running :)

Member Avatar for Windelkron

windows XP.
also I have service pack 1

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