Internet Options Won't Open/Internet Explorer Won't Launch - Windows 7

I've been having this problem for about a year now, and I just can't get it fixed. Whenever I try to open Internet Explorer it just flashes for less than a second, and then automatically closes. Also, I can't open Internet Options. I try to click on it from the Control Panel, but nothing happens. I try to enter inetcpl.cpl in Run, but nothing happens.

However, i've read on some other forums and threads here about looking for "inetcpl.cpl" in the System32 folder, and it is NOT there on my computer.

 

Hey buddy, have you tried the scannow option ?? You may need your installation disk. Or try dskchk and see what happens.

 

Do you mean SFC /scannow? If so, then yes, i've tried that. I've ran a disk check before, and that didn't help. I'll try it again later tonight, but it didn't help the first time.


Also, after using Microsoft's Fix It program, inetcpl.cpl is back in the System32 folder. However, when I click on it, nothing happens. It also doesn't show up when I browse for it in Run. Maybe that's normal, but I thought i'd take note of it anyway.

 

Hey buddy, this little tool has saved my butt more than one, http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/tweaking_com_windows_repair.html

 

Look at these two locations
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe on 64-bit
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe on 32-bit
and click on iexplore.exe. Does it open?
Note: if you are running a 32 bit version of Win 7, you will not have a C:\Program Files (x86) folder.