Tech Solutions Expert

Hyperlinks are not working in Outlook

Symptoms

Assume that you set Internet Explorer as your default browser in Windows. When you click a hyperlink in Microsoft Outlook, you receive one of the following error messages, depending on your Outlook version:
This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator.

Your organization's policies are preventing us from completing this action for you. For more info, please contact your help desk.
Resolution
To have us fix this problem for you, click the Fix it button or link. Then click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

Note If you prefer to fix this problem yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.
For Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
Fix this problem
For Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003
Fix this problem


Notes

• This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.
• If you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem.
• We would appreciate your feedback. To provide feedback or to report any issues with this solution, please leave a comment on the "Fix it for me" blog or send us an email message.

Let me fix it myself
Important Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before you modify it,back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

To resolve this problem, follow these methods in order. Check whether the problem is resolved after each method.
Method 1: Reset Internet Explorer settings
Internet Explorer 11 and Internet Explorer 10


Warning If you are using Windows 8.1 or Windows 8, please proceed to method 2.

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools icon, and then click Internet Options.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
   
4. In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings window, select the Delete personal settings check box, and then click Reset.
   
5. Click Close when it is completed.
   
6. Close and restart Internet Explorer.
7. Click the Tools icon, and then click Internet Options.
8. Click the Programs tab, and then click Set programs.
   
9. Click Set your default programs.
   
10. In the Programs list, click Microsoft Outlook, and then click Set this program as default.
    
11. Scroll back up to the top of the default programs list and highlight Internet Explorer and click Set this program as default.
    
12. Click OK, and close the Default Programs dialog box.

Internet Explorer 9

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools icon, and then click Internet Options.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
   
4. In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings window, select the Delete personal settings check box, and then click Reset.
   
5. Click Close when it is completed.
   
6. Restart Internet Explorer.
7. Click the Tools icon, and then click Internet Options.
8. Click the Programs tab, and then click Set programs.
   
9. Click Set your default programs.
   
10. In the Programs list, click Microsoft Outlook, and then click Set this program as default.
11. Click OK, and then close the Default Programs dialog box.
12. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Programs tab, and then click Make default under Default web browser.
    
13. Click OK.

Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 7

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
4. Click the Programs tab, and then click Set programs.
5. Click Set Default Programs.
6. Select Microsoft Outlook, and then click Set this program as default.
7. Click OK, and then close the Default Programs dialog box.
8. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Programs tab, and then click Make default under Default web browser.
9. Click OK.

Internet Explorer 6

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the Programs tab, and then click Reset Web Settings.
4. Under Internet programs, make sure that the correct email program is selected.
5. Select the Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser check box.
6. Click Apply, and then click OK.
   
   Note You may receive the following message when Internet Explorer starts:
   Internet Explorer is not currently your default browser. Would you like to make it your default browser?
   If you receive this message, click Yes.

Method 2: Export and import the registry key from another computer
This section is intended for advanced computer users. For help with advanced troubleshooting, ask your system administrator or contactMicrosoft Support.

Note Use this method only if the earlier instructions for each browser do not work to resolve this problem.

Step 1: Export the registry key from another computer

1. On a computer that does not encounter this problem, click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\htmlfile\shell\open\command
4. On the File or Registry menu (depending on your operating system), click Export.
   
5. Note the location where the file will be saved. The registry file can be saved directly to the hard disk or floppy disk.
6. Type a unique file name, and then click Save.
7. Exit Registry Editor.

Step 2: Import the registry key

1. Copy the exported registry key to the desktop on the problem computer.
2. Double-click the .reg file.
   
   You may receive the following message:
   
   Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
   Adding information can unintentionally change or delete values and cause components to stop working correctly. If you do not trust the source of this information in C:Users\<yourlogon>Desktop\regkey.reg, do not add it to the registry.
   Windows 7
   Are you sure you want to add the information in drive: location file was copied to\file name.reg to the registry?
3. Click Yes, and then click OK.

Step 3: Verify that the String (Default) value of the "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \.html" key is "htmlfile"

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \.html
4. Make sure that the value of the String (Default) is "htmlfile". If it's not "htmlfile", right-click (Default), click Modify, input htmlfile in theValue data box, and then click OK.
   
5. Exit Registry Editor.