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http links to web sites won't open

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Matt

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I installed Thunderbird on Windows 11 and moved my old profile over from my old computer.

Everything is fine except that HTTP: links will not open. It recognizes them because the cursor changes when I hover over them, but clicking on the link results in nothing happening.

Chrome is my default browser.

I have followed all the suggestions here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/hyperlinks-in-messages-not-working including checking that a default browser is set, using the config editor to check that network.protocol-handler.external-default preferences are set to true, and trying it in Troubleshoot mode.

Incidentally, mailto: links work just fine.

I installed Thunderbird on Windows 11 and moved my old profile over from my old computer. Everything is fine except that HTTP: links will not open. It recognizes them because the cursor changes when I hover over them, but clicking on the link results in nothing happening. Chrome is my default browser. I have followed all the suggestions here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/hyperlinks-in-messages-not-working including checking that a default browser is set, using the config editor to check that network.protocol-handler.external-default preferences are set to true, and trying it in Troubleshoot mode. Incidentally, mailto: links work just fine.

Chosen solution

I just tried this Matt, but unfortunately, it did not work. Thanks for the suggestion.

Update: a couple of hours after I did the firefox/chrome switch as suggested, it finally worked!

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All Replies (5)

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I cannot assist, but check the Windows default apps. Just because a browser says it's the default means nothing unless Windows also says that. Check default apps and also check setting for html links. They are two different windows settings that should both point to Chrome.

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Thanks, I have checked that Windows also says Chrome is the default.

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install Firefox and set it to default. then try in in Thunderbird. Then change back to chrome.

Make sure your browser is installed from an installer and not the copies available on the Microsoft store. I do not understand them yet, but my feeling is they are less able to actually make registry changes than installer versions resulting in some odd issues popping up.

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Chosen Solution

I just tried this Matt, but unfortunately, it did not work. Thanks for the suggestion.

Update: a couple of hours after I did the firefox/chrome switch as suggested, it finally worked!

Modified by drew24

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Seriously, I think your antivirus was quite probably the issue. But we will never know for sure.