Error Message: Windows Cannot Find Inetwi~1.exe (276572)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q276572
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

On some Compaq computers with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 or 5.01 installed, if you click Internet Explorer on the desktop, you may receive the following error message:
Windows cannot find Inetwi~1.exe.
This program is needed for opening files of type Internet Explorer.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur because an incorrect string value has been placed in the registry. When you use the mouse to double-click the Internet Explorer icon, the preceding error message is displayed, instead of opening the Internet Explorer browser.

RESOLUTION

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.

To resolve this behavior, you must edit the registry, and then change the default value for the Internet Explorer icon to Iexplore.exe. You must perform the following steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type:

    regedit

  3. Click OK.
  4. Locate the following registry key:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}\Shell\OpenHomePage\Command

  5. In the right pane, right-click Default, and then click Modify.
  6. Change the default value to "C:\Progra~1\Intern~1\Iexplore.exe" (without the quotation marks).
  7. Quit Registry Editor and restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

On some Compaq computers, the following entry may be added to the class ID (CLSID) for Internet Explorer:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}\Shell\OpenHomePage\Command

The incorrect value reads as:

"C:\Compaq\Internet\Inetwi~1.exe /Ignoreisp /Ignoredefstpage /App=""C:\Progra~1\Intern~1\Iexplore.exe""

The correct value reads as:

"C:\Progra~1\Intern~1\Iexplore.exe"



The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/14/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbHardware kbprb KB276572
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