All Gmail links fail

I seem to be having a strange Gmail problem. None of the links in my emails will connect to www.google,com. All email will open without problem and links in websites work fine, I simply cannot get outside of Gmail. Even Settings to HELP and REPORT a PROBLEM don't get out. I've tried both Opera and Firefox (I'm using Chrome) and have the same problem. My other home PC has no problem with Gmail. What sort of setting do I need to change, or is something else causing this? I would appreciate some help.

Thanks to Caledon Ken...your suggestion had no effect.

Thanks to bro67...Interestingly enough the Gmail link to this forum reply actually worked, as did your link to "How to Fix....." I tried steps 1 and 2 without success. Step 3 gave me the following screen, which didn't look like the article described. At any rate, the probem is unchanged...screenshot follows.

Thanks to Caledon Ken...My AV/Firewall is the standard Windows 10 Defender. Disabling had no effect. I did the winsock reset per your instructions and I believe that fixed my problem! Now, can you please explain what I did? Is there any followup I need to do?

I also did the HOST file readout as you suggested. I don't have a clue what they mean, but the screenshot follows...



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Thanks to Perejon...I tried your rt. click suggestion and the link worked fine. I could open it in both a new tab or a new window.!
Please explain "If it is not due to mailto protocol issues..." as I have tried to read and understand what this means and it's beyond me. I tried an article fix but had no results I could understand.
Have run multiple virus and malware scan with clean results.

Problem appears to be resolved. Thanks...