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Clicking on a link that opens Internet Explorer slows all applications to near frozen. Solution?

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Firefox is my default browser. Every time I click on a link that opens in Internet Explorer (I. E.) , my entire system slows to near freezing. All operations, including shut down, take forever. The only way I've found to resolve the issue has been to shut down, and reboot. I've tried to avoid clicking on I. E. links, but some websites (especially some customer service links) seem to be available only through I. E.

Firefox is my default browser. Every time I click on a link that opens in Internet Explorer (I. E.) , my entire system slows to near freezing. All operations, including shut down, take forever. The only way I've found to resolve the issue has been to shut down, and reboot. I've tried to avoid clicking on I. E. links, but some websites (especially some customer service links) seem to be available only through I. E.

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Hi,

Usually if such programs are hard-coded to look for and open IE, then setting Firefox as the default browser (Tools (Alt + T) > Options > Advanced > General) may not be effective. You can try to contact the providers and request an update to their programs/services. You can also try to deselect Internet Explorer in Windows Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components (this only removes the references from the Start menu, other locations and hides the IE executable, doesn't uninstall IE).