Clicking "Internet Options" on the Tools Menu Returns Error Message

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 98
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you click the Internet Options command on the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, you may receive the following error message:

This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Inetcpl.cpl file is missing from the Windows \System or %SystemRoot%\System32 folder.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, extract a new copy of the Inetcpl.cpl file from the Internet Explorer distribution files, or reinstall Internet Explorer. For additional information about extracting files, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

You may also experience the following symptoms if the Inetcpl.cpl file is missing:

• The Internet icon may be missing from Control Panel.



• The Internet icon may be displayed in Control Panel, but nothing may happen when you double-click it.



• When you right-click the Internet Explorer icon on the desktop and then click Properties, nothing may happen.



• The Repair Internet Explorer program may suggest that you run Setup again. If you click Details, you see that the Inetcpl.cpl file is listed as missing.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg msiew95 msient msiew98 kbfaq 
Version           : WINDOWS:5
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: June 15, 1999