Sandi's Site
Multiple windows open unexpectedly
Check your file type associations are correct. If the default browser controls (for want of a better word) are incorrectly set, or damaged, the ability to open IE windows via hyperlinks or Ctrl+n will not work at all, or it may work, but multiple, identical windows will appear.
If the windows are not identical - for example, if they are pop-up windows / advertisements, then you must examine your system for malware.
If your system is clean of malware, try resetting IE5 as
your default browser. From within Internet Explorer, go to
Tools, Internet Options, Programs and
turn on the check box for IE to check if it is the default
browser. Shut down and restart IE. When it asks to be
default browser, say yes.
If that doesn't work, go to My Computer, View,
Folder Options, File Types (or Control
Panel, Folder Options depending on your operating
system)
Scroll down to the URL:Hypertext Transfer Protocols,
click Edit twice and make sure the following is in
the application used to perform action box:
"C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\iexplore.exe" -nohome
The same applies for URL:Gopher
DDE should be set to: "%1",,-1,0,,,,
Application should say: IExplore
DDE application not running should be blank
Topic should be: WWW_OpenURL
Also have a look at these links:
Internet Shortcuts in Outlook Express Don't Start Browser
(Q177054)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q177/0/54.asp
New window is blank or nothing happens when you click on a
link - Q281679
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q281679
Incorrect Settings in the Dcomcnfg.exe Tool [Q274696]
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q274/6/96.asp
Internet Explorer Home Page Opens When You Click a Link That
Is Pasted into an E-mail Message (Q291859)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q291859
You cannot open an MHTML URL after you install the April
2003 cumulative patch for OE
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=825803
Also see 'open in new window doesn't work'
and 'IE opens blank (empty) windows'.