Incorrect Context Menus or Non-Functioning Desktop Icons

• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Internet Explorer 3.0, 3.01, 3.02

When you right-click any item on the desktop except the The Internet icon, the context menu for the item may not open, and you may not be able to start any item on the desktop. You may be able to start items only by using the Start menu.

Internet Explorer 4.0

When you right-click any item on the desktop, the context menu for the The Internet icon may open, and changes you make using the context menu may affect Internet Explorer rather than the item you right-clicked.

CAUSE

Internet Explorer 3.0, 3.01, 3.02

This behavior can occur if the Internet Properties dialog box is open.

Internet Explorer 4.0

This behavior can occur if the Internet Properties dialog box is open and you are not using the Windows Desktop Update component.

RESOLUTION

Internet Explorer 3.0, 3.01, 3.02

Close the Internet Properties dialog box before you right-click or double- click an icon on the desktop.

Internet Explorer 4.0

Use either of the following methods:

• Close the Internet Properties dialog box before you right-click or double-click an icon on the desktop.
• Install the Windows Desktop Update component. To do so, follow these steps:

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

  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

  3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0,

        and then click Add/Remove.
  

  4. Click "Add the Windows Desktop Update component from Web site," and

        then click OK.
  

  5. When you are prompted "Active Setup is about to determine what

        components are installed on your computer. Is this OK?" click Yes.
  

  6. Click the Windows Desktop Update component check box to select it,

        and then click Next.
  

  7. In the Please Select A Download Site box, click a download site near

        you, and then click Install Now.
  

  8. Click Yes to any additional prompts.

  9. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, and 4.01 for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0