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Outlook can't open links: "Windows can't open this file" Must force it to use browser

Answered Outlook can't open links: "Windows can't open this file" Must force it to use browser

  • Friday, June 22, 2012 6:14 PM
     
     
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    Whenever I try to click on a link in Outlook (2010 on Win 7), I get told that "Windows can't open this file."  I have to select from a list of programs (the web service can't figure it out, either) and force it to use the browser.

    This is probably related to Google Chrome.  If I set Chrome to be the default browser, the link opens up just fine.  If I set it to IE, I get the "Windows can't open this file."  I don't want to open in Chrome.

    When I go into the registry, there is an entry in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT under .htm and .html for (Default) that lists Chrome.  I have deleted them but that still doesn't work.  I have reset them to "htmlfile" from "ChromeHTML," but that still doesn't work though the error changes:  It still asks me how I want to open the file, but it seems to know that IE is available and lists it directly as an option.  It shouldn't be asking me because I have told it to always use IE.

    I have tried to make IE the default program, but it already thinks it is and won't let me change it.  I have switched to Chrome as the default and back again, it still doesn't work.

    How do I convince the system that these are URLs and they should open in IE without prompting?

     

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  • Monday, June 25, 2012 3:08 AM
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    Hi,

    It is an issue related to IE. I recommend you follow the article below to check additional two registry entries:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\htmlfile\shell\open\command
    And
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.html

    Please Note: Since the following web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

    http://www.slipstick.com/problems/this-operation-has-been-cancelled-due-to-restrictions

     

    Sincerely
    Rex Zhang

    Rex Zhang

    TechNet Community Support

     
  • Tuesday, June 26, 2012 12:33 AM
     
     Answered
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    Took a bit of noodling around, but the answer was eventually in there:

    Control Panel | Default Programs | Set program access and computer defaults

    Set it to Microsoft Windows and save.

    Outlook finally behaves.