CC Cleaner opens webpage links as Microsoft Word Document

CC Cleaner, Google Earth and my widgets (not sure about other programs) have links to click on that SHOULD open up a webpage.

For instance, in CC Cleaner there is a link to check for updates - when I click on the link it opens up a read-only Microsoft Word document instead of opening up the webpage for updates.

For instance, in Google Earth, I try to click on one of the user posted photos so that I can access the webpage that contains the photo - but instead it opens up a read-only Microsoft Word document.

For instance, in my earthquake widget I click on one of the earthquakes and it's supposed to open up a webpage that contains additional info on the chosen earthquake - but instead it opens up a read-only Microsoft Word document.

As far as I can remember I haven't downloaded or installed any programs over the last few months. So what happened? Or what's happening? And how can I fix it?

Thanks a million for any help/advice,
Elizabeth

 

If this has only just started happening, then do a system restore, to a time before this started happening !

 

If I do a 'system restore' - will I lose anything important on my computer? I'm not too worried about losing any programs on my computer since I really don't use that many - but what about word documents, photos, music...

Thanks,
Elizabeth

 

Greetings, indyroxx.

For the most part, System Restore is non-destructive for personal data, but any recently installed drivers or programs might be uninstalled.

Check your Restore points list (don't know you're operating system so I can't show you the path, but it should be similar to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore), and pick a recent point.

Do any links work in other programs? Almost sounds like a file association thing, or something browser related. What browser are you using?

 

Caliban-

I use Mozilla Firefox as my browser.

My operating system in Windows Vista.

I just looked at my system information and clicked on a link to update my operating system and the link opened up a Microsoft Word document instead of the corresponding webpage. So it's looking like NONE of my webpage links work.

I posted my dilemma on another website and was recommended to restore my file associations. I tried using the link provided in the response post but when I tried downloading the zip files for the specific file associations the download didn't download correctly. So I'm wondering if something is going on with the downloading process too...

Not really sure what to do at this point - system restore, restore file associations... etc....

Got any suggestions?

Thanks a ton for you help!
Elizabeth

 

Check this real quick: go to Control Panel > Default Programs, see what's associated with '.htm' and '.html'.

 

Caliban-

I checked to see what was associated with .htm & .html

They are associated with '2007 Microsoft Office Component'.

That doesn't sound right to me - but I'm just a novice when it comes to the real working of computers and computer programs...

What do you think???

Thanks a ton!!!

 

For Vista, the steps should be similar - if Firefox is not listed, then Browse to the executable (should be in Program Files > Mozilla Firefox).

 

Caliban & plodr -

I changed the file association for the .hmt and .html via the default program link on my Start menu (under the 'set associations' tab/page).

It didn't work... my CC Cleaner 'check for updates' link still opens a Microsoft Word document

I wasn't able to figure out how to change the file associations the way the plodr described - My operating system is Windows Vista, so I'm thinking that I going to need the specific steps for my system.

I'll restart my computer and see if the changes I made make a difference...

I'll be back. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Elizabeth

 

Yes - by all means. Reboots tend to cement any system changes.

Referring back to rustyjack's System Restore suggestion - did you ever try that?

And, you might make Internet Explorer your default browser (temporarily, if preferred) while troubleshooting this issue, just to make sure we don't mix Windows up any further.

@plodr: No problem!