Windows error opening Internet shortcut or local HTML file - Firefox: Difference between revisions

From MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Jump to navigationJump to search
(Intro changed to clarify that this issue is "similar to" Bug 246078.)
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
If an error dialog, "Windows cannot find [URL]" pops up (or if two Firefox windows or tabs are opened) whenever you click on an Internet Shortcut or local HTML file in Windows, then you are experiencing a problem similar to that described in [http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=246078 Bug 246078], in which URLs from other applications result in two Firefox windows or a window and an error dialog.
On some Windows systems, when Firefox is the [[default browser]] and is not already running, when  you launch it by opening an Internet shortcut, a local HTML file, or a link in another application, two instances of Firefox may open or Firefox opens along with an error dialog,  ''Windows cannot find "<URL or path to file>".  Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.''. For example, when Firefox is launched by double-clicking an Internet shortcut icon (or by entering the URL via "Start -> Run") you may see an error dialog similar to:
[[Image:Windows cannot find url.png]]


There are several workarounds in the bug report and discussion. Some are listed below.
'''Note:'''  When opening a URL link in a Microsoft Outlook e-mail when Firefox is not running, Firefox may open along with an error dialog titled "Microsoft Office Outlook" with the message, ''General failure. The URL was: "<URL>".  The system cannot find the file specified.''  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=572342]  In older Outlook versions (e.g., Outlook 2003)  a dialog titled "Locate Link Browser" may appear.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=516400]  Also, if Firefox is not open and you click a URL link in a document or spreadsheet, Firefox may open a window with a message that the page could not be found with the address bar showing "FirefoxHTML%5CShell%5COpen%5CCommand" appended to the URL. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=539284]


==The File Types Workaround==
==Reinstall Firefox==
# Open Windows Explorer (Win+E).
Some Vista users report that simply [[Installing Firefox |reinstalling Firefox]] fixes the problem. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=6421845#p6421845].
 
==Extensions==
[[Problematic extensions]] can cause the issue, including the [http://www.google.com/tools/firefox/toolbar/FT3/intl/en/index.html Google Toolbar for Firefox] and possibly others (disabling or uninstalling the Google Toolbar extension will stop the error if not caused by some other toolbar).  [http://groups.google.com/group/FFToolbar-group-advanced/browse_thread/thread/ad044e5cf2febcc8/180c9380ec7cc1d3] [http://groups.google.com/group/FFToolbar-Group-Bugs/browse_thread/thread/72935cb2d9acabe/77cdc339cf169b6f]  To see if an extension is causing the issue,  try updating all extensions ("Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions -> Find Updates") in case the problem has been fixed in the latest version.  If the problem continues, you can disable or [[Uninstalling add-ons|uninstall individual extensions]] to see if one of them is responsible.  Read [[Standard diagnostic - Firefox#Extension issues| this]]  if you need more help.
 
If the problem is still not resolved, try the following solutions  (you may need to repeat these steps after each Firefox update):
 
==File Types edit==
In Windows XP and Windows 2000:
# Open Windows Explorer (or My Computer).
# Go to Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types
# Go to Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types
# Select "Extension: (NONE)" and "File Type: HyperText Transfer Protocol".
# Select Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol"  
# Go to Advanced -> Edit File Type -> Select "open" -> Edit
# Click "Advanced".  In the "Edit File Type" window, select "open" and click "Edit"
# Disable the DDE message box (which should contain "%1" or something similar).
# Uncheck  "Use DDE" (the dialog should then hide the lower part).
# Repeat for "File Type: HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy" and any other protocols you want to fix.
# Click OK for that dialog and the next one (afterwards,  the "Use DDE" box is still checked but the "DDE Message" box will be cleared, as shown [http://kb.mozillazine.org/images/DDEfix.png here])
# Repeat for "Extension: HTML" and "File Type: Firefox Document".
# Repeat for Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy" (and any other protocols you want to fix)
# Repeat for Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "Firefox URL"  
# Repeat for Extension: "HTM" (or "HTML") File Type: "Firefox Document"
 
Sources:
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=246078#c6 Bug 246078 comment 6]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=367899#c5 Bug 367899 comment 5]
*[http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2770314#2770314  MozillaZine forum post] (more [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=525238 here] and [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=523670 here])
 
Note that the "File Types" user interface that allows you to uncheck the "Use DDE" option, as described above, is not available in Windows Vista [http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=726848&SiteID=17] so you will need to edit the registry to remove the "ddeexec" key, as shown below.
 
==Registry edit==
You will need to manually edit the registry in Windows Vista and above, or in cases where the File Types listing is missing certain entries such as  "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol" (HTTP) and "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy" (HTTPS).
 
'''Caution:''' Editing the registry incorrectly can damage your system.  Do not attempt these steps if you are inexperienced or uncomfortable using the Registry Editor.
# Go to "Start -> Run" (or press the windows key+R) then type <tt>regedit</tt> and click OK
# Use the directory tree hierarchy to navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTP\shell\open\ddeexec"
# Delete the "ddeexec" registry key
# Repeat for "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTPS\shell\open\ddeexec" (and any other protocols you want to fix)
# Repeat for "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxURL\shell\open\ddeexec"
# Repeat for "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxHTML\shell\open\ddeexec"


Sources:
Sources:
*[http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=246078#c6 Bug 246078 comment 6]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=137363#c9 Bug 137363 comment 9]
*[http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2770314#2770314  MozillaZine forum post]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=372016#c7 Bug 372016 comment 7]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=491947#c110 Bug 491947 comment 110]
*[http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2791095#2791095 MozillaZine forum post]


==The Registry Workaround==
==Related bug reports==
Be sure you are familiar with the Registry as this has a chance of corrupting your entire computer system if you bother other registry entries. [[http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=137363#c9 Source]]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=246078  Bug 246078 (2windows) – URLs from other apps result in two Firefox windows or a window and an error dialog (Set as Default Browser does a lousy job creating ddeexec keys)]
# In Start -> Run, type "regedit" and press Enter.
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=353089 Bug 353089 – Fix / remove ddeexec hack]
# Use the directory tree hierarchy to navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTP\shell\open\ddeexec".
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=359630 Bug 359630 – Windows cannot find 'SHORTCUT' when clicking link from desktop after crash]
# Delete the "ddexec" folder.
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=367899 Bug 367899 – FirefoxHTML%5CShell%5COpen%5CCommand is added to URLs linked to from another application]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=370053 Bug 370053 – Clicking a URL shortcut icon opens two instances of Firefox]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=389502 Bug 389502 – &#91;meta&#93; "Windows cannot find .... Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again."]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=491947  Bug 491947 -  Disable DDE shell integration]


[[Category:Issues (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Issues (Firefox)]] [[Category:Integration with external applications - browser]]

Latest revision as of 13:43, 4 June 2014

On some Windows systems, when Firefox is the default browser and is not already running, when you launch it by opening an Internet shortcut, a local HTML file, or a link in another application, two instances of Firefox may open or Firefox opens along with an error dialog, Windows cannot find "<URL or path to file>". Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.. For example, when Firefox is launched by double-clicking an Internet shortcut icon (or by entering the URL via "Start -> Run") you may see an error dialog similar to:

Note: When opening a URL link in a Microsoft Outlook e-mail when Firefox is not running, Firefox may open along with an error dialog titled "Microsoft Office Outlook" with the message, General failure. The URL was: "<URL>". The system cannot find the file specified. [1] In older Outlook versions (e.g., Outlook 2003) a dialog titled "Locate Link Browser" may appear. [2] Also, if Firefox is not open and you click a URL link in a document or spreadsheet, Firefox may open a window with a message that the page could not be found with the address bar showing "FirefoxHTML%5CShell%5COpen%5CCommand" appended to the URL. [3]

Reinstall Firefox

Some Vista users report that simply reinstalling Firefox fixes the problem. [4].

Extensions

Problematic extensions can cause the issue, including the Google Toolbar for Firefox and possibly others (disabling or uninstalling the Google Toolbar extension will stop the error if not caused by some other toolbar). [5] [6] To see if an extension is causing the issue, try updating all extensions ("Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions -> Find Updates") in case the problem has been fixed in the latest version. If the problem continues, you can disable or uninstall individual extensions to see if one of them is responsible. Read this if you need more help.

If the problem is still not resolved, try the following solutions (you may need to repeat these steps after each Firefox update):

File Types edit

In Windows XP and Windows 2000:

  1. Open Windows Explorer (or My Computer).
  2. Go to Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types
  3. Select Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol"
  4. Click "Advanced". In the "Edit File Type" window, select "open" and click "Edit"
  5. Uncheck "Use DDE" (the dialog should then hide the lower part).
  6. Click OK for that dialog and the next one (afterwards, the "Use DDE" box is still checked but the "DDE Message" box will be cleared, as shown here)
  7. Repeat for Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy" (and any other protocols you want to fix)
  8. Repeat for Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "Firefox URL"
  9. Repeat for Extension: "HTM" (or "HTML") File Type: "Firefox Document"

Sources:

Note that the "File Types" user interface that allows you to uncheck the "Use DDE" option, as described above, is not available in Windows Vista [7] so you will need to edit the registry to remove the "ddeexec" key, as shown below.

Registry edit

You will need to manually edit the registry in Windows Vista and above, or in cases where the File Types listing is missing certain entries such as "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol" (HTTP) and "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy" (HTTPS).

Caution: Editing the registry incorrectly can damage your system. Do not attempt these steps if you are inexperienced or uncomfortable using the Registry Editor.

  1. Go to "Start -> Run" (or press the windows key+R) then type regedit and click OK
  2. Use the directory tree hierarchy to navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTP\shell\open\ddeexec"
  3. Delete the "ddeexec" registry key
  4. Repeat for "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTPS\shell\open\ddeexec" (and any other protocols you want to fix)
  5. Repeat for "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxURL\shell\open\ddeexec"
  6. Repeat for "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxHTML\shell\open\ddeexec"

Sources:

Related bug reports

Retrieved from "http://kb.mozillazine.org/index.php?title=Windows_error_opening_Internet_shortcut_or_local_HTML_file_-_Firefox&oldid=46359"