Firefox opens two new windows when opening external links

You are getting double browser windows when using the address bar on the desktop toolbar, and also the "url not found" message when opening any desktop internet shortcuts.

To resolve this, delete these 4 "folders" from HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT:
HKCR\HTTP\shell\open\ddeexec
HKCR\ftp\shell\open\ddeexec
HKCR\gopher\shell\open\ddeexec
HKCR\https\shell\open\ddeexec

Solution *without* requiring the use of regedit:-
A workaround for the problem with the way Firefox registers itself to handle urls in Windows or an issue with DDE messaging. Boot into safe mode.

1. Open Explorer
2. Select Tools and then Folder Options
3. Select the File Types tab
4. Select Extension: (NONE), File Type: HyperText Transfer Protocol
5. Click Advanced toward the bottom of the window
6. In the Edit File Type window, select open and click Edit
7. Clear the DDE message box (which should contain "%1")
8. Click OK, Click OK
9. Repeat for File Type: HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy

Another workaround paste the below in notepad and save this as *.reg (eg. FireFoxfix.reg) and then double click on it. It will ask you if you want to install this in the registry say yes and viola problem will be resolved. Restart computer system to effect.

REGEDIT4 [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTP\shell\open\ddeexec] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HTTP\shell\open\ddeexec\Application] ""="FIREFOX" [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\https\shell\open\ddeexec] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\https\shell\open\ddeexec\Application] ""="FIREFOX" [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ftp\shell\open\ddeexec] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ftp\shell\open\ddeexec\Application] ""="FIREFOX" [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\gopher\shell\open\ddeexec] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\gopher\shell\open\ddeexec\Application] ""="FIREFOX"

It is also possible that you might have a spyware infection on your machine. Install and run these programs.
SuperAntispyware
AdAware
Spybot Search & Destroy
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware


If these don't find it or can't clear it, post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help:
http://castlecops.com/
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://forum.aumha.org/
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/

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