MS Outlook error when clicking on a hyperlink

Posted on June 8, 2010 Stefaans

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For the umpteenth time today, my Outlook 2007 gave an error when I click on a web link:

Today’s error followed the installation of Microsoft Expression Web Studio 4. I like using Firefox as my default web browser, and it appears as if the installer messed up some setting related to the default web browser. The problem appears related to an error that I reported earlier.

As I mentioned, this is not the first time this has happened on my computer. The following fix works for me:

Close Outlook.
Set Internet Explorer as the default web browser. You can do this by running IE, and choosing Internet Options on the Tools menu. On the Programs tab, click Make default.
Set Firefox as the default browser again. Do this by running Firefox, and opening the Options… on the Tools menu. On the Advanced tab, select the General sub-tab, and click Check Now [if Firefox is the default browser].

In summary: The problem appears to relate to setting a default browser other than Internet Explorer, and then installing a (Microsoft?) product that meddles with those settings. Re-setting the default browser fixes the problem for me time and again.