Links open in IE with ad-ons disabled

[Eirin]

I use Vista, IE7 and Windows Mail.

I've been using Windows Mail for a while and have been very pleased with the
app. Suddenly (yesterday), when I clicked on a link in a mail, WM started
opening links in a new window in IE with ad-ons disabled, rather than in a
tab in an already open IE (regular, with ad-ons enabled) window as it did
before.
I've no idea why and how this change came about, as I haven't installed
anything new or changed the parameters for security or properties. The only
things I can think of having downloaded recently are security updates from MS.
How do I get back to having links in mails open in IE with ad-ons enabled?
Uninstalling latest security update doesn't seem to be an option, as I
cannot find it on the Uninstall Updates list in Control Panel.

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Can't say I've ever heard of that problem.
Try this:
Open the Default Programs applet, which you can access either from
the Start menu or via the Control Panel, then click the first item:
"Set your default programs."
After a few seconds, a list of programs comes up. Click on "Internet
Explorer". If it doesn't respond with "This program has all its defaults"
then fix it by clicking on the option indicated by the first green arrow.

If no improvement, consider upgrading to IE8.

 

[Eirin]

IE has all its defaults, so that can't be it. I was thinking (hoping) that
maybe there was a rule in Windows Mail that defines "links open in existing
window, add-ons enabled" or some such, but I can't find anything
likelylooking in Tools - Options.
I'd really hoped to avoid having to upgrade to IE8, since that's the most
annoying browser I've yet come across.

Anyway, thank you very much for giving it a shot

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

You're very welcome. I don't have any additional suggestions.