IE launches from links within email even though Firefox is default browser

Could someone please help me to get IE to stop launching from weblinks in email, aim etc. I have already uninstalled IE7, set defaults from Firefox and the start menu. I am plum out of ideas. Thanks

 

Which email client do you use?

 

I am using earthlink.

 

Hi there! Thanks for the tip but I have already tried this as well. It is so maddening. I got rid of IE because it recently became a cpu hog and now that it is installed but still trying to launch website it makes everything freeze up.

 

Mark, did you leave out an intermediate step. In XP Control Panel I can't find any relation to --> Set program access and defaults >
I've tried various menu items but can't find it. :cry Bazza

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In my last post I meant to say that I had uninstalled IE7. I am running Windows XP service pack 2. I use Earthlink for my email but the problem of IE launching happens not only when I click on a web link in my email but if I do the same in an IM. I have tried everything suggested so far. Please read previous post. Anyone have another magic trick for me to try? Thanks!

 

how did you delete IE? it sound like it' still on your system. when I got windows XP it came bundled with IE 5 or 6, I upgraded to 7. so it you delete 7 you may be going back to the original bundled in xp.

 

I think that is what has happened. From all that I have read you can never completely uninstall IE because Windows Updates needs it to do updates. Yet there should be a way that I can stop it from launching when I click on embedded links in mail and IMs. Uggh! Microsoft has been a thorn in my side for nearly 20yrs now ever since I Beta tested for them!

 

I'm not Mark but here is a snapshot of what is shown on the left side of the Add or Remove Programs. It's the bottom one, at least it should be there for you.

PS: I don't have the "Classic View" shown but the other one.

 

This is what I've got it set as in "Custom" and it works fine for me.

 

This

is not an answer to

Earthlink is not a email client, it's an ISP. Exactly how do you normally view your email, via WebMail or by downloading it to your computer into an email client such as Outlook Express, Outlook, Mozilla's Thunderbird, etc.?

 

Sorry but you are wrong, Earthlink is my email client. They have software called Total Access 2005 which I have installed only the email part not the browser and that is how I view my emails. Now within Earthlink I have emails that are downloaded directly onto my hard drive these are emails from approved senders. Then I have a spam "folder" which is where all of my newsletters etc. and other junk is. That I view off of Earthlink's mail server. I then decide if I want the email and send it to my inbox or I delete it.

I tried launching a web link from emails both on the Earthlink server and then the same email after it had downloaded into my inbox. Both times IE launched.

Things have gotten worse because now my computer has become unbearably slow. I will look up and do the steps in the Malware section but I really do no think that is the problem.

So to recap, painfully slow computer and IE launching when I click on weblinks through my email even though Firefox is set as my default browser. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[SIZE="5"]I have already done the steps you suggested using XP's 'Set Program Access and Defaults > Custom' window. I am not trying to be flip here but it would truly help if people would read the entire post before making a "suggestion"
And while you might think it would be silly of me to want to totally uninstall IE, you are not the one sitting here waiting 5 to 10 minutes for a link from within email to launch. I would appreciate any NEW suggestions on how to fix this problem
[/size]

 

In my very first post, I stated that I made Firefox my default browser from the start menu which is where I found the "Set Program Access and Defaults" . Then I received a post from Halo with a link telling me to do the exact same thing again. I explained to Halo that I had already done this. Then I get a post from you telling me to do the very same thing. I am sorry but it did not seem to me that you had read all that I had posted. It is just frustrating to be asking for help and getting the same suggestion that I have stated very clearly did not solve the problem.

I understand that you think this is happening from within Earthlink Mail but it doesn't happen on every computer. The computer that I use at work is fine. I can open emails and click on the links and they open in Firefox and no IE opens. Also it wouldn't be a problem that IE opens except that IE has become a CPU hog and everything comes to a halt while IE struggles to open the link.

Also the weblinks open both Firefox and IE. Which I find a bit odd. Anyway, I am sorry for getting frustrated and sounding snippy. If you can think of anything to help I will try it. Thanks

 

Mark, truly I am not trying to argue with you but I just clicked on the link that Halo sent me http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Setting+Firefox+as+the+default+browser+does+not+work
and I swear it looks to be the exact suggestion that I received from you. It talks about going through the steps to Set Program Access and Defaults. Perhaps, I wasn't clear enough though. I did go through the procedure to Set Program Access and Defaults manually before I even posted here. I did check that IE as default browser was not checked as well. And when Halo sent me the link, I did double check that nothing had reverted back to the old settings.

I will try one of the links to reset the browser. Any clue as to why IE has become such a CPU hog?

 

I used Earthlink for several years and liked their service. The spam control was very effective. I only switched to Embarq when forced due to change in local telecom provider which provides my DSL service. But, I never used Earthlink's Total Access package; it's not needed/necessary.

I used Outlook Express to download my Earthlink email. I also occasionally accessed my email via their WebMail (using a web browser). Of course, other email clients such as Outlook and Thunderbird can be used. Just set up a POP email account for your Earthlink email account.

New suggestion: ditch Total Access 2005.