Internet Shortcuts in Outlook Express Do Not Start Web Browser

• Microsoft Outlook Express version 4.0 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Outlook Express version 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you double-click an Internet shortcut in an Outlook Express e-mail message, your Web browser may not start or connect to the Web page.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a short file name (standard 8.3 naming) is used for the program name associated with Internet shortcuts.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, change the name of the program associated with Internet shortcuts to the long file name of your Web browser. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer or Windows NT Explorer.

2. On the View menu, click Folder Options.

3. Click the File Types tab.

4. In the Registered File Types box, click "URL:File Transfer Protocol," and then click Edit.

5. In the Actions box, click Open, and then click Edit.

6. The Application Used To Perform Action box may display the path to your Web browser as a short file name. Type the path to your Web browser using the full long file name. For example, change

         c:\progra~1\intern~1\iexplore.exe
   

   to:

         c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe
   

7. Click OK, and then click Close.

8. Repeat steps 4-7 for the following registered file types:

       - URL:Gopher Protocol
       - URL:Hypertext Transfer Protocol
       - URL:Hypertext Transfer protocol with Privacy
   

9. To close the Folder Options dialogue box, click Close.

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