I have reviewed many threads and tried multiple fixes but am unable to resolve this issue. 

A few days ago a client started having issues with links included in e-mails opening.  She indicates it started happening following updates pushed out via the VAIO (it's a Sony VAIO laptop) update utility.  I looked at a potential system restore but the only dates available were the checkpoints and restore points made during my initial troubleshooting.

It prompts her to choose the program to open with.  I tried resetting IE9 to defaults, downgrading to IE8, uninstalling Chrome and Firefox, exporting a reg key from a known good machine to her machine, setting the default browser as IE.

None of these items have worked.  When I uninstalled alternate browsers, the error message did change to a restrictions error, which was not resolved by the MS Fix-It tool or the registry export-import.

I reinstalled Chrome and Firefox (she needs these browsers for a specific purpose) and if I set Chrome (I did not try Firefox) to the default browser, the links will open properly in Chrome, so it appears to be a communication issue with Outlook and IE.

Given what I have tried, what other potential fixes are available?

What other information can I give to help resolve the issue?

OS - W7 x64 - Browser IE9 - Outlook 2010

Thanks,

John Grein

CTBoulder

for

Mary Mayotte Inc.

You receive an error message when you click a hyperlink in Outlook
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310049

This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect
http://www.slipstick.com/problems/this-operation-has-been-cancelled-due-to-restrictions#set

Thanks Karl, but neither of those methods resolved the issue.  I did find both of those suggestions prior to posting here. 

I appreciate your response.

John

For lack of anything else to suggest - you may want to try the following program versus the manual approach included in the second article just to see if it helps. Haven't seen a post where the steps in one of the two articles ultimately didn't resolve the issue so certainly would be interesting to find out what the underlying cause of the problem is in this case (ergo - please post whatever solution you may find that works for you if and when that occurs :-) )

Error opening attachments / Cleaning out the Temporary Outlook Files folder
http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/securetemp.htm

Did you reboot after trying the fixes?

The choose program dialog indicates its a problem with the DDE settings. In the Default programs applet, which browser is set as default? If file types, what brwser is set for the URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol?

Diane,

Thanks for your response.  I did have reboots after each fix I tried.  When the browser was set as default to IE user would get a prompt to choose the program to open the link.  When the file type was set to IE for the url:HyperText Transer Protocol user would still be prompted for program to choose, but at least IE showed in teh program list.

I will be working on this again later today and will report back any progress.

Thanks,

John Grein

CTBoulder

for

Mary Mayotte SFI

Just an update, nothing has resolved the issue.  I've gone through all the suggestions from everyone (thank you for your assistance), here is the last round today.  Followed these suggestions:  http://www.slipstick.com/problems/this-operation-has-been-cancelled-due-to-restrictions#reg2 - No change.  Clicking a link in Outlook would always prompt to choose the program.  Ran the fix-it here:   http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=310049 No change after reboot.  Uninstalled Chrome and Firefox (user needs Firefox for a specific video class she takes).  Re-ran the fix-it.  Rebooted.  No change.  Clicking link still prompts for program to open with (despite IE being default browser, despite the registry entries looking correct, despite the file associations being to IE).  Reinstalled Firefox and set it as the default browser.  Click link opens properly in Firefox.  Reset default browser back to IE.  Clicking link prompts for program to open with.  Set it back to Firefox.  Clicking link works.  Going to leave it as is for the client unless anyone has something else I can try (note I have now tried all the suggestions and the items I mention here at least twice, including cleaning out the Outlook cache).

I appreciate everyone's input.

Thanks,

John Grein

CT Boulder

for

Mary Mayotte SFI