My first guess would have been to go into your Tools menu in internet
explorer and select Internet Options... but you can't type anything into the
Address label? Not much more ways I can think of that aren't too easy. One
way of editing your registers. If you are comfortable with editing, you could
go thorugh regedit only if you've done so, but I warn you, once you make a
change in it, it cannot be undone...! Only go in there if you know exactly
what you want to do and close the program as soon as you are finished.
Changes are immediate, and if you change anything you could affect the entire
computer if anything is incorrect.
Use this only if you have Windows XP. If it is anything other than Windows
XP, I suggest not using the registers by these directions. I cannot confirm
this will work for any other operating system. It will not damage other
operating system, but it will have no effect if the directory of the registry
is different.
On that note, I don't suggest going directly into edit, but a shortcut to
edit can be done externally. Using a small program you create, all you need
to do is double click on an icon, and the computer will make the change.
Follow these steps directly.
1) Use Start-> RUN, click run. In the run command, type "notepad"
2) In notepad, type the following few 4 lines EXACTLY (Include a space
between the first line and the HKEY line--this will be one line of words, one
line blank, and 2 lines for the key to register your Homepage]:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"Start Page"="
http://www.msn.com/"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course, change what webpage you want to be your homepage...I used the
msn.com as default. Once you have the 4 lines (including blank line between,
dashes NOT included), save the 4 lines as "Start Page.reg" to a location you
can access the icon. Save it EXACTLY like it is between the quotes, quotes
not included.
Close out of notepad and find that icon. Double click Start Page.reg. You
will see a messagebox pop up asking...
"Are you sure you want to add the information in "C:\Documents and
Settings\%userName%\Desktop\Start Page.reg" to the registry? "
Only if you are comfortable with above click yes. This will update the
appropriate register without you having to go into the registers to search
for it and possibly damage something while searching... It only changes what
you typed or copied into that file. If you ever want to go back into that
file to edit, you need to right click on that icon and select "edit".
Alternatively, you can go into notepad first and select File-> open, on the
bottom of the box, for Files of type, change the drop-down box to "All
files", and pick the "Start Page.reg" from the box above.
Make sure you store in a save place or delete it from regular storage. It's
a nice easier way to edit registers should Internet Explorer not be able to
be changed... Look for others' advice also before attempting this if you
aren't comfortable. They might have an answer about your problem with the
tools menu. Good luck and work safe. Reminder... if you feel you might make a
mistake, it is always best to keep backups of your software and operating
system whenever you are installing a program. Editing a register is one part
of installation of programs. If you are not sure of what you are doing, I do
not recommend doing this. Wait for other replies...
Tommyjoe58 said:
Defender changed my home page then gave me instructions on how to change
back. When I go to Internet Options the buttons to under Home Page are
grayed-out. I cannot change back to my desired Home Page. The home page it
sent me to has the title: "Malicious Software Removal Tool Has Changed Your
Home Page".
How do I change back to my desired Home Page?
Ps sorry about the double post. I just found that my pop-up stopper was
preventing me from opening this "New Qst" window. I posted again to make
sure you knew I was asking for help.
