Hyperlink Not Working In Document, But Copy/Paste Into Browser Does

I Am His Son · 16 Apr 2018

Hi All,

My first post!

I created hyperlinks in Word & Excel and up until recently I wasn’t having aproblem. One day, out of the blue, I clicked this link and I got this error message “This operation hasbeen canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contactyour system administrator”. Doing a right click on the link, selecting "Open" I get the same error. However, it will work if I select "Edit", do a copy and paste into a browser.

I have a phonebook created with Excel. I have two types of links: 1.) Existing File or Webpage 2.) Place in this document. Link #1 Does Not Work. Link #2 does work.

I spent most of yesterday trying to fix it without success. Obviously that's why I am here. I spent time searching this forum, but again wasn't successful. Would it be Ok if I could, temporarily, get a few hints to try to fix it on my own?

Thanks in advance!

I.A. H. S.

Try3 · 16 Apr 2018

This problem is caused by problems in Windows [Control panel, Internet options] and merely comes to light when a hyperlink is clicked in an Office application. The root cause of the fault is a Registry error regarding the handling of .html files.

The Microsoft KB on the subject was at Hyperlinks are not working in Outlook KB310049 but is currently unavailable. Use This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions - Slipstick instead.

Denis

Try3 · 17 Apr 2018

The Microsoft KB on the subject at Hyperlinks are not working in Outlook KB310049 has now become available again. You can use
• method 2 [resetting IE in order to alter Registry settings through the UI]
or
• method 3 [editing the Registry directly in order to achieve the same result].
If you use method 3 then note that there is a stupid typo in it, the Registry key you need to check is
actually HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.html [i.e. there is no space in the middle of it]

Denis

I Am His Son · 17 Apr 2018

I definitely appreciate your help! Frustrating! Thank you!! I'll let you know as soon as I can.

Again, thank you very much.

I. A. H. S.

I Am His Son · 18 Apr 2018

Denis,

I tried what you suggested and nothing has changed.

Now what?

Try3 · 18 Apr 2018

So if you look in the Registry using RegEdit -
1 The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\htmlfile\shell\open\command key looks like this?

Hyperlink Not Working In Document, But Copy/Paste Into Browser Does-hyperlinks-not-working-outlook-healthy-registry-key.png

2 The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.html has this (Default) entry?

Hyperlink Not Working In Document, But Copy/Paste Into Browser Does-hyperlinks-not-working-outlook-healthy-registry-key-2.png

I have never heard of this fix failing before.

Denis

I Am His Son · 18 Apr 2018

I wrote out a quick reply, but clicked "SOLVED" before sending. I tried "Method 2: Reset Internet Explorer settings" without success; and unable to do "Method 3: Export and import the registry key from another computer" Not one that handy! Long story short. I saw your snippet with htmlfile, etc. Well, mine had Firefox instead.

I can, but not crazy about playing with the registry!

Thank you!

Bob

Try3 · 19 Apr 2018

Bob,

That Slipstick link has a copy of the Registry key you can download. It is a bit more reliable than writing it all out manually merely because of the risk of typos.

But if the only difference is Firefox then try uninstalling then reinstalling Firefox instead. It might be enough to reset it all correctly without your going into the Registry at all.

The safe way to work if you are using RegEdit is to first right-click on each key that you will be working on then select Export. The best format is the default one it offers you [.reg]. You can Open with Notepad to read it and you can also double-click on it if you want to set things back to the way they were.

Denis

I Am His Son · 20 Apr 2018

Denis, Hi! I made the change using RegEdit. I decided not to re-install Firefox. I also uninstalled Google Chrome. I don't like their ui. I do, however, have to remember to back up RegEdit. Nothing has happened, but I prefer not to meet with Murphy's Law.

One last question, for this thread. I'm new to this forum, but I hope to help others down the road. How do you keep track of your post and someone you help answers. Keep handy? What was the most challenging with regards to functionality of this forum?

Again, thank you!

Bob

Berton · 20 Apr 2018

I Am His Son said:

One last question, for this thread. I'm new to this forum, but I hope to help others down the road. How do you keep track of your post and someone you help answers. Keep handy? What was the most challenging with regards to functionality of this forum?

Again, thank you!

Bob

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