[SOLVED] Java installer opens Internet Explorer

[Kirby]

I've run into this problem before a long time ago and I don't think I ever found a solution then. Here's what's happening:

When you run the Java updater, Internet Explorer opens and asks for permissions to run something. You have to cancel it, in this case, twice. Then, when you close IE, the Java updater window is there, but completely blank save for the standard buttons in the top, right corner. The same happens when you uninstall Java and try to run the offline installer. You end up with a blank installer.

What this means, I believe, is that instead of displaying the web-based content within the Java installer window the computer is opening a separate Internet Explore window to display the content. However, the content won't display directly in Internet Explorer. If you allow the content you end up, if I recall, just clicking "Allow" forever as more and more IE windows open.

I've tried SFC and DISM as well as resetting the Default Apps and IE options. No problems found in SFC or DISM. I don't know enough about installer programs. My next step would be a shot in the dark with Tweaking.com's Windows Repair unless someone understands the Java installer better than me and knows what stupid thing is going on here.

 

[Diggs]

What is the default browser set to? (...and I remember when QuickBooks just has to use IE or it wouldn't run either.....)

 

[Kirby]

Stupid me, this is Windows 10 Pro 64 bit 1709 and the default is Firefox. The last time I saw this it was on Windows 7, I believe. I doubt anyone here ever leaves the default set to IE, but it's always IE it opens.

 

[Kirby]

I'm not sure what worked, but first I did all the Tweaking.com repairs, which lead to 45 minutes of Windows "Preparing" as if it was doing an update, but without any progress indicator (and no hard drive light). Eventually I force-stopped it (the user wanted it back before the turn of the next century) and did a System Restore to a few days before. When it came back up from that, the problem was fixed.

I WILL figure this one out. At least, if I ever run into it again. It's some registry setting somewhere. IE is used "behind the scenes" all over the place in Windows. I know what is happening here. It's supposed to be using IE "secretly" to display the contents of the install window, but for some reason it's opening in a separate instance of IE. If you allow it to run, it simply opens in a new separate instance of IE. I know what's going on, I just don't know enough about how IE is used behind the scenes to know why. But mark my words, if I run into this a third time I WILL post a solution for it before I'm done with it.

 

[glennd]

I'm not sure what worked, but first I did all the Tweaking.com repairs, which lead to 45 minutes of Windows "Preparing" as if it was doing an update, but without any progress indicator (and no hard drive light). Eventually I force-stopped it (the user wanted it back before the turn of the next century) and did a System Restore to a few days before. When it came back up from that, the problem was fixed.

I WILL figure this one out. At least, if I ever run into it again. It's some registry setting somewhere. IE is used "behind the scenes" all over the place in Windows. I know what is happening here. It's supposed to be using IE "secretly" to display the contents of the install window, but for some reason it's opening in a separate instance of IE. If you allow it to run, it simply opens in a new separate instance of IE. I know what's going on, I just don't know enough about how IE is used behind the scenes to know why. But mark my words, if I run into this a third time I WILL post a solution for it before I'm done with it.

The Windows API has a generic html control that can be embedded in applications in the same way as all the other basic controls such as buttons, list views, selection boxes, bitmaps etc. This html control is basically a wrapper around IE. The programmer provides a container for the control to appear and gives it parameters to control it's appearance and behaviour. But it's still just IE and subject to all the peculiarities of IE. It sounds like MS has been messing with IE in Win 10 and any programs that make use of this control are likely to break in the same way.

Edit: Or the Java programmers broke the call to the control.

 

[Kirby]

The Windows API has a generic html control that can be embedded in applications in the same way as all the other basic controls such as buttons, list views, selection boxes, bitmaps etc. This html control is basically a wrapper around IE. The programmer provides a container for the control to appear and gives it parameters to control it's appearance and behaviour. But it's still just IE and subject to all the peculiarities of IE. It sounds like MS has been messing with IE in Win 10 and any programs that make use of this control are likely to break in the same way.

Edit: Or the Java programmers broke the call to the control.

No, this is something else. I've had it happen once in 10 and once in, I think, 7. I fixed it both times, but it might have been a nuke or a System Restore the first time, it was a System Restore/Tweaking.com repair this time. I'm pretty sure it's a registry issue. Isn't it always with weird things in Windows? I just have to get one in at a time when I have the time to track it down myself.

But I think you're right, I don't think it's Java-specific. I think other programs using the same controls would do the same thing. But I haven't even had the chance to see what, exactly, IE is trying to open. It doesn't give a filename or anything, but I could, given the time, track it down, I'm sure.