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Error: This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer.

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  • Last reply by Tom1946

Tom1946
Tom1946
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I updated to Fire Fox 57.0.2 (64 bit). After that, each time I clicked a hyperlink in an email (Microsoft Outlook 2010), the old version of Fire Fox would open. So I uninstalled the old version. Immediately thereafter, when I click a hyperlink in an email, I get an error message: "This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator." See screen print attached (I hope). My operating system is Windows 7.

I updated to Fire Fox 57.0.2 (64 bit). After that, each time I clicked a hyperlink in an email (Microsoft Outlook 2010), the old version of Fire Fox would open. So I uninstalled the old version. Immediately thereafter, when I click a hyperlink in an email, I get an error message: "This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator." See screen print attached (I hope). My operating system is Windows 7.

Chosen solution

I used the "Edit Registry, Part 2" section of the article on hacking the registry and it seems to have worked fine. Thanks for your help, especially on Christmas Eve. Have a great holiday!

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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
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Sorry, this is an issue with older versions of Microsoft Office, they fail to follow Windows' lead regarding your default browser after you uninstall the old one.

When you uninstalled Firefox, most likely that removed the 32-bit program folder at 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

And the new installer installed Firefox under the 64-bit program folder at 

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

Unfortunately, Office seems unable to "let go" of an old default browser when that program has been removed.

There is a registry hack you can use in this article: https://www.slipstick.com/problems/this-operation-has-been-cancelled-due-to-restrictions/

Or perhaps you can fool Office a different way -- I've never tried this before, but if you want to experiment:

(A) Exit out of all MS Office applications

(B) Copy the Mozilla Firefox folder from 

C:\Program Files

to 

C:\Program Files (x86)

(you can right-click > Copy, then right-click > Paste)

(C) Set the default browser to Internet Explorer

(D) Start Outlook and try a link to confirm that it now sends links to IE

(E) Have Firefox make itself the default browser again

(F) Test a link in Outlook to confirm that you're all done

(G) Remove the duplicate Firefox folder from 

C:\Program Files (x86)
Tom1946
Tom1946 Question owner
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Chosen Solution

I used the "Edit Registry, Part 2" section of the article on hacking the registry and it seems to have worked fine. Thanks for your help, especially on Christmas Eve. Have a great holiday!