Cannot open Hyperlinks in Outlook email on Windows 11/10

If you’re using Microsoft Outlook and trying to click on a hyperlink, but it’s not opening in your default browser (usually Microsoft Edge), then there may be an issue with the default association for opening links in your browser. In this article, we’ll share what you can do if you’re unable to open hyperlinks in Outlook email in Windows 10/11.

You may see error messages like:

  • This operation has been canceled due to restrictions
  • Your organization’s policies are preventing us from completing this action for you.

This can happen if you’re using an older version of Outlook and you removed Internet Explorer. In this case, re-enabling IE and resetting IE options to default can help.

Microsoft tries to open everything in Edge or Internet Explorer. If you cannot open hyperlinks in Outlook email, follow these tips to resolve the problem.

Related Post: The attachment size exceeds the allowable limit on Microsoft Outlook

  • Restore File Association defaults for Outlook and Edge.
  • Export and import the Registry key from another computer
  • Reset Edge settings
  • Repair Office.

The default browser association is used by Windows, but when settings are not configured properly or there is corruption, it can cause problems.

Restore File Association defaults for Outlook and Edge

  • Close your default browser if it is open.
  • Go to Settings > Apps > Default Programs in Windows Settings
  • Under Web browser, click on whatever is the default, and then select Microsoft Edge as your default browser
  • Switch to Outlook, and click on any link to make sure it opens in Edge. Close Edge browser.
  • Open the default browser again, and change the default browser again from the browser option.

Now when you open any link, it will open in the default browser of your choice.

The point of this is to fix something by changing the settings, usually a registry entry. When we do all these steps, it will fix the problem with the registry.

Export & import the registry key from another computer

We suggest checking if the links can open hyperlinks in Outlook email on another computer. If that’s the case, then we suggest importing particular registry settings from that computer to this one.

  • On the other computer, open Registry Editor
  • Navigate to:
  • Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\htmlfile\shell\open\command
  • Right-click on the Command folder, and select Export.
  • Save the file with a name you can remember on the computer.
  • Next copy the Registry file into your computer
  • Double-click on it, and it will merge the entry into your computer Registry.
  • Alternatively, you can go to the same location on your computer, and check if the value is the same as:
  • “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE” %1
  • Now try to open a link in Outlook and see if you are still not able to open hyperlinks in Outlook mail.

Reset Edge settings

The final option is to reset Edge settings. Windows may be requesting that Edge open a link as the default browser, but it is not working.

  • Open Edge
  • Go to edge://settings/reset
  • Click on the Restore settings to their default values
  • It will open a pop-up window where you can confirm the action.

Resetting your browser will remove your startup page, new tab page, search engine, pinned tabs, and other data. It will also disable all your extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and password will not be cleared.

Repair Office

You may need to repair Microsoft Outlook or the Office installation.

  • Right-click the Start button, and select Apps and Features on the pop-up menu
  • Select the Microsoft Office product you want to repair, and select Modify.
  • It will open theOffice Repair options
  • Quick Repair: Fixes most issues quickly without the need for an internet connection
  • Online Repair: Fixes all issues but takes a little longer and requires an internet connection throughout.

If you’re only having problems with Outlook, try repairing it. Open a link and see if it works as expected.

We hope these tips were easy to follow, and that you were able to open the hyperlinks in Outlook mail in Windows 11/10.

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