I uninstalled Firefox awhile back and I can't seem to get IE to check/set itslef as the default browser. I've checked/unchecked the button within the IE setting a million times and its never once popped up to ask me to make IE the default. Is there anything in the registry I can do to force the change? I can always sfc /scannow, but that means I'll be re-installing patches afterward.
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Force IE to be default browser?
- Thread starter denzilla
- Start date
If you only have one browser installed perhaps IE doesn't need to check, maybe this is by design?
Checking that box specifies whether you want Internet Explorer to remain your default Internet browser, *****even if you install additional Internet browsing software.*****
When this check box is selected, each time Internet Explorer starts it checks to make sure it is still registered as the default Internet browser. *****If another program is registered as the default browser*****, Internet Explorer asks whether you want to restore Internet Explorer as your default browser.
This is the main job of the SFC /Scannow command -
"If System File Checker discovers that a protected file has been overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from the cache folder (%Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache) or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file. System File Checker also checks and repopulates the cache folder."
It should not replace new windows files with old versions of them from the XP CD as it retrieves the version initially from the Dllcache which would have the updated version already and only adds missing files in the Dllcache from the CD.
Nevertheless it is a good idea to slipstream SP2 into the original XP CD, for SFC purposes, and repairing XP.
Description of the Windows System File Checker Tool (Q310747)
Slipstream Service Packs
thread779-900263
Checking that box specifies whether you want Internet Explorer to remain your default Internet browser, *****even if you install additional Internet browsing software.*****
When this check box is selected, each time Internet Explorer starts it checks to make sure it is still registered as the default Internet browser. *****If another program is registered as the default browser*****, Internet Explorer asks whether you want to restore Internet Explorer as your default browser.
This is the main job of the SFC /Scannow command -
"If System File Checker discovers that a protected file has been overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from the cache folder (%Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache) or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file. System File Checker also checks and repopulates the cache folder."
It should not replace new windows files with old versions of them from the XP CD as it retrieves the version initially from the Dllcache which would have the updated version already and only adds missing files in the Dllcache from the CD.
Nevertheless it is a good idea to slipstream SP2 into the original XP CD, for SFC purposes, and repairing XP.
Description of the Windows System File Checker Tool (Q310747)
Slipstream Service Packs
thread779-900263
Microsoft Internet Explorer Is Not Restored as the Default Internet Browser After Uninstalling Netscape
Do you have the IE icon on the Start Menu?
You could use Add/Remove programs in Control Panel. Select Add/Remove Windows Components.
Uncheck the entry for Internet Explorer. Press Next. This will remove all IE and Outlook Express icons.
Repeat the process, this time reselect and check Internet Explorer. Press Next. This will restore fresh icons that were previously removed. This option only repairs icons and shortcuts of IE and Outlook Express.
For XP SP2, the only currently approved repair for IE is a reinstallation of the entire SP2 service pack.
Internet Explorer Fix
Do you have the IE icon on the Start Menu?
You could use Add/Remove programs in Control Panel. Select Add/Remove Windows Components.
Uncheck the entry for Internet Explorer. Press Next. This will remove all IE and Outlook Express icons.
Repeat the process, this time reselect and check Internet Explorer. Press Next. This will restore fresh icons that were previously removed. This option only repairs icons and shortcuts of IE and Outlook Express.
For XP SP2, the only currently approved repair for IE is a reinstallation of the entire SP2 service pack.
Internet Explorer Fix
- Thread starter
- #4
The methos I tried was the same method outlined in the KB article you linked to. The issue is IE will not re-register itself as the default browser.
I stand corrected on the sfc /scannow method. That the route you take to repair IE if running XP gold and SP1. They recommend re-installing SP2. I would think sfc /scannow is still an option since I slipstreamed SP2 into my XP install CD.
I stand corrected on the sfc /scannow method. That the route you take to repair IE if running XP gold and SP1. They recommend re-installing SP2. I would think sfc /scannow is still an option since I slipstreamed SP2 into my XP install CD.
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