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“Can’t open links in Outlook” email client issue is the most general technical error that most of the Outlook users have encountered

In this case, this write-up clarifies why links of the emails may not be working in the MS Office Outlook application and presented some effective hacks to eliminate this annoying error notification. 

These solutions will let you open the hyperlinks in the Microsoft Office Outlook email client again with no difficulty, even no matter which Outlook email client version you utilize – Microsoft Office Outlook application 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 or lower. 

Moreover, the error notification might differ as per the version of the Outlook email client. 

However, if you are stuck with the same error, then don’t fret. This informative post will assist you quickly to fix this technical error within a flicker of time. 

Also, you will get to know why hyperlinks do not work properly on your MS Office Outlook application so that you won’t stumble twice on the same error. 

Why the Links Won’t Open in Outlook Email Client?

Here, in this context, we have enlisted some of the common and possible reasons for this “Outlook links won’t open” technical error. 

  • This issue might arise and the hyperlinks not working in the Microsoft Office Outlook application due to the default internet Web Browser of the system which is not registered correctly in your Operating system. 
  • Sometimes, the MS Office Outlook application might malfunction because of the error or a bad Microsoft Office Installation.   
  • Due to the backdated web browser of the system. 
  • This issue might occur due to some other internal technical bugs of the system. 

Now, that you have a better idea about the common and possible reasons for this MS Office Outlook glitch. 

Therefore, it’s time to proceed with the solutions which are represented in the below section to resolve “can’t open links in Outlook” error. 

How to Resolve the MS Office Outlook Links Won’t Open Issue?

We will begin with the most effective and most accessible troubleshooting hacks which take the least time and effort. 

Therefore, it creates a reason to go through the below-stated ways in order and after performing each resolution you need to verify whether you can open the hyperlinks in the MS Office Outlook app again. 

Additionally, below-mentioned troubleshooting hacks can work for all the versions of MS Office Outlook email client 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 and 2003.

Way 1: Altering the .html and .htm values via Registry Editor

This is the most basic method that you can try to fix this issue on your own. The policies of your organization can also be liable for averting you from opening the hyperlinks. 

Some Outlook email client users have succeeded to eradicate this troublesome error notification altering the values of .html and .htm values with the help of the Registry Editor.  

Creating a. REG file:

The steps are stated hereunder:

Step 1: 

At first, right-click on a free space in your desktop. After that, select the option ”New” in the list of options. 

Choose a text document and label it by a particular name or title whatever you desire.

Step 2: 

In this step, open the recently created text document and paste the below-stated text in the text document. The texts are: 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.html]

@=”htmlfile”

“Content Type”=”text/html”

“PerceivedType”=”text”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.htm]

@=”htmlfile”

“Content Type”=”text/html”

“PerceivedType”=”text”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.shtm]

@=”htmlfile”

“Content Type”=”text/html”

“PerceivedType”=”text”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.shtml]

@=”htmlfile”

“Content Type”=”text/html”

“PerceivedType”=”text”

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\htmlfile\shell\open\command]

@=”\”C:\\Program Files\\Internet Explorer\\IEXPLORE.EXE\” -nohome”

Step 3: 

Once it is completed, tap on the File option. Go to the option “Save as” and change the extension from .txt to .reg. Next, choose the Save button to save the changes that you have made. 

Step 4:

Open the file by double-clicking on it. Next, you might get the UAC pop-up box on the screen. Choose the Yes button to move further. 

This process will grant the application to make the demanded alterations in your Registry files. 

After completing all the above-described steps, restart the system and check if the technical error has been fixed at the next startup.

Utilizing an Elevated Command Prompt:

To alter the values of .html and .htm values by using the elevated command prompt, go through the following steps:

  1. Press down the Windows Logo key and at the same time press down the R key on your keyboard. This process will invoke the Run dialog box. 
  2. Write “cmd” in the Run Dialog box and press down the Shift key + Enter key + Ctrl key on your keyboard. This process will invoke the Elevated Command Prompt along with the administrative permissions. 
  3. After that, copy and paste the following command in the Elevated Command Prompt. Then, press the Enter key after entering each command. The commands are: 
  • First command is: REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.htm /ve /d htmlfile /fREG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.html /ve /d htmlfile /f
  • Second command is: REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.shtml /ve /d htmlfile /fREG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.xht /ve /d htmlfile /f
  • Third command is: REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.xhtml /ve /d htmlfile /f

After completing all the above-mentioned steps, close the Command Prompt and restart the system. Now, check the Outlook application to see that the issue is resolved or not.

Way 2: Reset Internet Explorer Settings

If the difficulty with the hyperlinks in your Microsoft Office Outlook application continues, then try to reset the settings of the Internet Explorer. 

Moreover, this is not a difficult task. To reset the settings of the Internet Explorer, go through the following easy steps;

  1. Ensure that the Microsoft Office Outlook email client is closed. 
  2. Go to the Internet Explorer of the system. Tap on the Tools icon in the Internet Explorer.
  3. After that, tap on the Internet Options under the Tools menu. 
  4. Go to the Advanced tab. 
  5. Next, tap on the Reset button in the Advanced tab. (In case, you use using the Internet Explorer version 6 or lower, then you might get the Reset option on the Programs tab of the Internet Explorer). 
  6. After that, you will get the Internet Explorer Reset Settings screen. Choose the check-box “Delete Personal Settings”. Tap on the Reset button to start the resetting process. 
  7. This resetting process may take some time to complete. Therefore, wait until the entire resetting process completes. 
  8. Once it is completed, tap on the Close button. 
  9. After that, go to the Internet Explorer again and try to open the MS Office Outlook to verify that the hyperlinks are working again in the Outlook application. 

Way 3:  Repairing the Office Installation

By repairing the Microsoft Office installation, you can fix several bugs. Here is a quick guide on trying to eliminate the can’t Open Links technical error in the Microsoft Office Outlook email client by repairing the Microsoft Office Installation:

 Step 1: 

To open the Run Dialog box, press down the Windows Logo key and at the same time press the R key on your keyboard. Write “appwiz.cpl” in the Run Dialog box.

Tap on the Ok button. Alternatively, press the Enter key on your keyboard.

Step 2:

Choose the Programs and Features option from the list of options. After that, scroll down through the application list in the Programs and Features menu. 

Next, locate the Microsoft Office correlated with the MS Office Outlook application version which is generating this technical error. 

Step 3: 

In this step, right-click on the MS Office version and hit the Change option. Next, choose the Repair option under the MS Office repair screen. 

Then, hit the Continue button to move further. Now, you will get on-screen prompts to start the repairing process. 

This repairing process might take some time to complete. Therefore, wait until the entire repairing process completes.  

Step 4: 

After completing all the above-mentioned steps, restart the system.

Now, verify the system to check that the issue is resolved at the next startup. 

Way 4: Update the Web Browser  

You may encounter this error because of the backdated web browser of the system. 

On this note, check out the below steps to update the web browser. 

  1. Go to the web browser and tap on the Action button. 
  2. Choose the Help button under the Action menu. Next, hit the option “About Firefox”.
  3. If a fresh version of the update is available for the system, then tap on the button “Restart to update Firefox” to move further.
  4. Now, you would require to wait for the Mozilla Firefox web browser to reboot along with the freshest build.
  5. This process might take some time. Therefore, be patient and wait. 
  6. Tap on the Yes button under the User Account Control (UAC).
  7. Reboot the system. 
  8. Now, open the MS Office Outlook on the system at the next startup and check if you are able to open the links from it. 

To Wrap it Up…

Hopefully, the above-mentioned troubleshooting hacks will help you a lot to eradicate this “links won’t open” technical error in the MS Office Outlook email client. 

This article assist non-tech-savvy persons, therefore you do not require any extra technical knowledge or ideas to execute the above ways and steps. 

In case, you face any trouble while performing the above fixes, drop us a comment in the below section.  

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