"Could Not Open File..." Starting Internet Explorer 2.0

ID: Q146115

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade to Microsoft Internet Explorer version 2.0, you may receive the following error message when you double-click The Internet icon on the desktop: 

   Could not open file: <Start Page address>
where <Start Page address> is the Web page address of the Start Page you set in the previous version of Internet Explorer.

CAUSE

The Use Proxy Server option was enabled during the upgrade, but no value was placed in the Use Proxy Server field.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double- 

   click Internet.
2. On the Advanced tab, click the Use Proxy Server check box to clear it.

3. On the AutoDial tab, click the Use AutoDial check box to select it.

4. Click OK.

Note that the same error message can occur if you are using a proxy server and you have entered the correct proxy server information. If this occurs, use standard network troubleshooting steps to determine the problem.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Internet Explorer version 2.0 for Windows 95. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

A proxy server acts as a security barrier between your Local Area Network (LAN) and the Internet, keeping others on the Internet from accessing information on your internal network.

If neither the Use AutoDial nor the Use Proxy Server option is enabled, you see the following message when you start Internet Explorer: 

   The Internet site "<Start Page address>" was not found. Please make
   sure the address is correct. Could not open <Start Page address>.
Additional query words: 95 iexplorer browser 
Keywords          : winplus win95 msiew95 
Version           : 95
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: September 3, 1997