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Question

Browsing the internet within Windows Explorer

Jul 21, 2012 2:43AM PDT

Hello,

I want to know how I can browse the web within Windows Explorer. It would save me a lot of time.

Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
It's supported.
Jul 21, 2012 3:01AM PDT

For a very long time you can type some URL into the address bar and it works.

I wonder if you recall the browser wars and how MSFT countered by embedding IE into the rest of the OS?

Some forgot that.
Bob

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It doesn't work.
Jul 21, 2012 4:56AM PDT

When I type a URL into the address bar of Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer opens.

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worked just fine here
Jul 21, 2012 5:05AM PDT

typed in www.cnet.com and opened right up in my default browser ......Digger

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That's one way it works.
Jul 21, 2012 5:33AM PDT

As folk can change what is associated with the html/htm action, that's completely expected.

Now in IE, type in C: in the address bar to see if that still works.
Bob

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Windows Explorer opens
Jul 21, 2012 5:39AM PDT

When I type C: in the address bar in IE8, Windows Explorer opens (which is expected).

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Keep in mind that 8 years ago that worked.
Jul 21, 2012 5:46AM PDT
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Another question...
Jul 21, 2012 6:01AM PDT

When I upgraded to IE7 from IE6 five years ago, the functionality of browsing the internet in Windows Explorer ceased. It didn't change when I upgraded to IE8.

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Yes that sounds about right.
Jul 21, 2012 6:03AM PDT

But what is the question?

Mark

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Sounds about the right timeframe.
Jul 21, 2012 6:32AM PDT

So to make this work again, you have to roll back to those days. As I recall, this was an intentional change. Now that I've remembered a bit more it could also be part of the legal decision by the EU.
Bob

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(NT)
Jul 21, 2012 6:43AM PDT

Is there any way to change this using the regisry settings or third-party patches?

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(TNT)
Jul 21, 2012 9:01AM PDT

I don't know. I bet someone may know more but this sort of tweaking is rare today. MSFT does not appear to document exactly what they changed.

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Yep, works here as well,
Jul 21, 2012 5:58AM PDT

but not as you want it.

I type http://www.cnet.com into the Windows Explorer address bar and CNET.com opens up, but in my default browser which happens to be Firefox.

Mark