Internet Explorer Is Automatically Redirected to the Internet Explorer Download Web Site (280296)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q280296
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

If you right-click the Internet Explorer icon, and then you click Open and you have Active Desktop enabled, the browser is automatically redirected to the following Internet Explorer download Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

You encounter this same behavior if you start Internet Explorer from the shortcut on the Office Shortcut bar.

WORKAROUND

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

By using the Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK), you can remove the desktop icon for Internet Explorer. To do so, under Policies and Restrictions Stage in the Web Desktop section, click Desktop.

If you have already deployed Internet Explorer by using the IEAK, you can update your .ins file by using the IEAK Profile Manager if you have the Automatic Configuration URL settings implemented. Otherwise, you need to include the following DWORD registry entry on all computers, and set the value equal to "1":

HKCU,"Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer","NoInternetIcon"

If you make these changes, you will longer be able to start Internet Explorer from the Office toolbar; if you click the Internet Explorer icon on the Office toolbar, you will receive a message stating that the icon has been removed.

Another workaround for this issue is to modify the Homepage.inf file, which is located in the Windir\System32 folder. You can change the FirstHomePage entry to the location of your choice, save the file, and then start Internet Explorer.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/26/2006
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB280296
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.