Windows error opening Internet shortcut or local HTML file - Firefox
On some Windows systems, if Firefox is not already running and you click an Internet shortcut or local HTML file, two instances of Firefox may open, or Firefox may open along with the 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."
Try the following to fix the problem (you may need to repeat these steps after a Firefox update):
File Types edit
(In Windows XP and Windows 2000)
- Open Windows Explorer
- Go to Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types
- Select Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol"
- Click "Advanced". In the "Edit File Type" window, select "open" and click "Edit"
- Uncheck "Use DDE" (the dialog should then hide the lower part)
- Click OK for that dialog and the next one (afterwards the DDE message box will be cleared, as shown here).
- Repeat for Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy"
- Repeat for Extension: "(NONE)" File Type: "Firefox URL" (and any other protocols you want to fix).
- Repeat for Extension: "HTM" (or "HTML") File Type: "Firefox Document".
Sources:
- Bug 246078 comment 6
- MozillaZine forum post (more here and here)
Registry edit
In cases where the entries are missing from the File Types listing, you can manually edit the registry. Caution: Editing the registry incorrectly can damage your system. Do not attempt these steps if you are inexperienced or uncomfortable using the registry editor.
- In Start -> Run, type "regedit" and press Enter.
- Use the directory tree hierarchy to navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTP\shell\open\ddeexec".
- Delete the "ddexec" registry key
- Repeat for "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTPS\shell\open\ddeexec"
Sources:
