About a month ago I started encountering a strange problem with my Internet Explorer v6. It only lets one browser window open at any particular time. At first I thought it was whenever I clicked on a link that called for a new window to be opened (ex: with the target=_blank command), but now I realize its more than that. I've got my IE as a quick launch button, and every time I try to open more than one instance of IE, it closes the current window in order to open the new one. This is what it does when I click on a link that opens in another window...it closes the current window, and opens the linked site in the new window.

I tried Googling the problem and the closest thing I found was on a MSFT support site outlining the same problem when a download link is clicked. My browser works fine when a download link is clicked though.

I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling IE, but to no avail. I tried exporting the settings from my laptop to my desktop (my laptop's IE works fine), but it didn't work. I've uninstalled all popup blockers to see if that was the problem, but nothing fixed it. I was hoping that the SP2 upgrade I did the other day would fix it, but it didn't. The only thing I think I have not done is to reinstall WinXP...which I don't want to do. I would rather keep using Mozilla than do that. (I switched to Mozilla until I could find a fix for this problem...but I don't really like it that much.)

Please help if you have any idea what this might be. I tried getting help in the IRC channel, but nobody knew what it might be.

That is definitely an interesting issue.  Sounds like a registry setting somewhere is preventing you from opening more than one window.

Unfortunately, there's about a million entries for IE......I'll get to lookin, and see what I can find.  You might want to check the Group Policy Editor (Pro version only), and see if any restrictions where placed on IE.  In there, restrictions take over no matter what else you do....(aside from reinstallation).

I had this same problem.  I started to happen immediatly after I installed Yahoo IM version 6 with all of the extras (toolbar, mail, etc.).  To correct the problem I went to add/remove programs and uninstalled all of the Yahoo components except the Yahoo Install Manager and Yahoo Instant Messenger.  After I restarted my computer, my browser was back to normal.

I hope this helps.

Very interesting. The only problem here is that the pc's are all on a private network with no internet access. I'm sure Yahoo is not on them.

I did notice that even with sp1 installed I am still unable to open more than 1 window to get into the jetdirect card. Hmmmm!

I'm getting the same problem with Windows 2003 and IE6. Anyone know how to fix this??

Are you all saying that the new IE window or link closes the current IE window so that you cant access it anymore even by clicking the back button on the toolbar.There is a setting(Reuse windows for launching shortcuts) in the advanced tab of Internet options under the Tools menu which if enabled will usually allow only one IE window to be open but in this case you can access the previously opened pages by hitting the back button.

Hey, I wanted to reply to your post and let you know that carterhamilton, you are correct. I had the same thing going on here as some other people have posted. I have done the suggested reuse ie window to open links, well, it was already selected, and it didn't change how i opened or clicked links for ie. i could only have one windowed instance of ie open. until i uninstalled all the other yahoo elements besides messenger. if you have yahoo try this first and then if all else fails, which i was believing, until i saw this post, and only post, that i would have to reinstall windows. i have begun posting in other forums that i have searched that didn't have the answers the link to here so i can save the time on typing. this wasn't a really well related problem, so hopefully it can be fixed since i do think that it is rather wrong.

We all seem to be on the same sheet, I had to uninstall all the yahoo extras and it started working fine for me also. Something about yahoo is messing it up. Thanks for the great help.

Thanks.

Wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes.  Opening a new window by double clicking IE icon, pressing CTRL-N, or selecting File|New|Window
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current window vanishes, new window opens, can not click back button to return to previous page.

Followed instructions in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 281679  (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q281679) "You cannot open a new Internet Explorer window or nothing occurs after you click a link" up to re-installing (upgrading) XP.
Finally checked add-remove programs and found Yahoo Toolbar installed MANY MONTHS ago.  Uninstalled it.  Problem solved.

If it helps, the last thing I did before the problem started was install the latest version of Macromedia Shockwave. (recommended by visiting www.boardsofcanada.com band site).

Oh, and don't forget the candles and incense, always helps in these situations

I have this same problem on my home pc! And, in hindsight, it ocuurred right after installing Shockwave. I can't wait to get home and see if Yahoo Toolbar is installed. This has been driving me crazy for days.

Had same exact problem as described by Auric101.  Yahoo Toolbar is indeed the culprit.   I'm pretty conscious about keeping my computer clean and not having a bajillion mysterious programs installed, but somehow Yahoo Toolbar made its way onto my comp between yesterday and today.....

In other news, <3 google toolbar.  It lead me to this forum and my solution! :)

cheers!

I found this topic by searching for a solution to a problem I was trying to solve that involved opening two instances of IE. I work in support of people using computers at a large office.

One person had tried to open two of the internet based applications we use at the same time. Each one opens with a shortcut on the desktop. She opened one and then when she opened the second the first one was gone. That sounds alot like the problem this topic is dealing with.

In IE goto tools/internet options/Advanced Tab/

You should have a list of items with checkboxes. Look for the one that says REUSE windows for opening new shortcuts. Unchecking this solved my problem, and I hope it solves yours too.

Good Luck

 

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I have changed every setting and gone to some rather experienced help desk individuals and had no luck.

Getting rid of the Yahoo Toolbar cured this I did not even have to reboot.....thanks yahoo.

I know that no one has posted up on this for a while but I thought I would post up since I found it (thank God for Google) and have had the same results.  I hadn't installed a new version of flash though.  I had a couple of odd memory errors this morning and then everything worked fine for a while.  A few hours later I started having the problem.  I couldn't get it fixed until I found this topic.  Ten seconds worth of removing Yahoo junk and all was good.  Thanks for posting up the solution to this problem.

I got this same problem and SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME THE PROBLEM.

If any of you have installed any of the SBC-YAHOO DSL connection, it mandatorily force the user to install some components. Looks like some components from Yahoo are culprit for the same (I couldn't believe recognised companies do this).

There is Internet Explorer customization components installed which is wrapper over normal IE. This so called customized yahoo browser, opens only one window and multiple tabs inside that (dont know what it does with registry for doing this) I am so habitual with IE and hate any of such unrequired customized browser. TRY UNINSTALLING YAHOO COMPONENTS. May be you also find solution for yourself.