Outlook Tips

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Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginner's Guide Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]

Outlook on Windows 10: Hyperlinks Don't Work

Another week, another problem with Outlook and Windows 10. This time only 32-bit versions of Office 2010, plus Outlook 2007, and Outlook 2003 are affected.

The problem: Clicking links in email open a file browser dialog titled Locate Link Browser when Internet Explorer is set as default. When Edge, Chrome, or other browsers are set as default, links work fine; only Internet Explorer has a problem opening links.

If the error message references 'restrictions in effect' or 'organization's policies are preventing', see Tip 540: Operation Cancelled Due to Restrictions for the solution.

Users of Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2007 will see the following choose application dialog. Clicking in the Always use this app box will not stick; the dialog comes up each time you click a link.
choose program dialog

While Outlook 2003 users will see the Locate link Browser dialog.
Locate Link Browser dialog

The fix: add the following value to the registry. You'll need to create both the opennew and command keys then add the url to the default value. (It's the same value found in the open\command key)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\​htmlfile\​shell\​opennew\​command
Default value: "C:\​Program Files\​Internet Explorer\​IEXPLORE.EXE" %1

Edit the registry to add the opennew reg key

If you'd rather not edit the registry, you can use this ready-to-use .reg file. Just download and double click to Run. (If the file extension was changed to .txt, you'll need change the extension to .reg.) opennew.reg

Published September 8, 2015. Last reviewed on November 11, 2017.

Related posts:

Tip 801: Block hyperlinks in OutlookAre you having problems using hyperlinks in your email? Try resetting Internet Explorer – from either IE's tools, optionTip 293: Hyperlinks Not Working?We’re seeing more than the usual number of reports of “This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this comTip 540: Operation Cancelled Due to RestrictionsDo you want use FireFox as your default browser but Outlook won't use it when you click on hyperlinks? First, make sure FirefoTip 186: Make FireFox the Default Browser

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21 Comments on "Outlook on Windows 10: Hyperlinks Don't Work"

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Dandy Don

Here's what worked for me in Outlook 2010: I went into Win-10 settingsupdate & securitytroubleshootprogram compatibility troubleshooter, and then selected Outlook and ran the troubleshooter. It identified a problem and gave me two options. The first one didn't work but the second one did. The troubleshooter went into Outlook and repaired the glitch. I can now open hyperlinks in Outlook.

Vote Up3Vote Down  Reply
March 20, 2018 10:30 pm
Mats

Links in my outlook will not open and I receive the following message:
“This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator”
I’m not using Explorer but EDGE
EDGE 40.15063.674.0
MS Office 2007
Windows 10Pro version 1703

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November 14, 2017 4:14 am
Diane Poremsky

The steps to fix it for IE aren't working with edge? I'll check with support. (Outlook uses some of the internet options with HTML mail.)

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November 22, 2017 7:54 am
Al Swilling
This fix did not work for me. Links in my emails in Outlook 2003, running on Windows 10, still would not work. Every link I clicked, I kept getting the error message, "This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator." However, I did manage to fix the problem. I am posting the fix, along with screen shots, in a web page. Meanwhile, here's how I fixed the problem: THE PROBLEM: In Windows 10, You open an email in Outlook 2003. You click on a hyperlink in the email, and get… Read more »
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November 4, 2017 4:59 am
Diane Poremsky

I had the solution for that issue posted at https://www.outlook-tips.net/tips/tip-540-operation-cancelled-due-to-restrictions/

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November 11, 2017 11:28 am
James Knight

To Al Swilling:

Before finding your post I spent at least four hours searching for a solution and trying and retrying suggested fixes. All to no avail. Your fix worked like a charm the first time. I can't thank you enough for sharing it!!

I also want to commend you for presenting your solution in seven numbered steps, each of which was clearly worded.

Again, thank you very much!

Jim Knight

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December 5, 2017 1:59 pm
Phil Maginn

You my friend are a star. I've been struggling with this for ages.

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December 15, 2017 2:46 pm
Marc

Thanks!!! I have been going crazy looking at so many different solutions to this problem that did not work until this one. I do not know how you figured it out, but thank you so much for sharing!

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January 10, 2018 1:14 am
Terence Law from Hong Kong

GREAT! It works!
I have been trying to find solutions even directly with Microsoft.
With great disappointment, they could not help!
Thank you very much for your professional help!

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January 1, 2017 10:49 am
Edgar

Solution didn't work as Win10 prefers Edge, not IE or Chrome. Hence, using IE as the default didn't work

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November 5, 2016 7:31 pm