IE8 and Windows 7 RC1 - Tabs not working

Chrismk · 15 Aug 2009 at 13:10

Not sure when this started to happen but I don't seem to be able to have multiple pages open in separate tabs unless, of course, I hold the ctrl key down when selecting. I've reset the tab settings and restarted but there's no difference.

Any ideas?

ralv585 · 15 Aug 2009 at 13:51

Use Firefox or Chrome, that is your solution.

theheyes · 15 Aug 2009 at 14:00

It's an alternative, but not really a solution to the specific problem. IE8 is a good browser and some people need it.

Go to the IE8 site and download and run the IE8 installer again. It will remove your existing install and replace it. This has fixed a couple of quirky problems I've had with IE8.

reflux · 15 Aug 2009 at 14:05

theheyes said:
IE8 is a good browser

ralv585 · 15 Aug 2009 at 14:13

I've personally never touched IE since i discovered firefox, always complain to my girlfriend when she use's it on her laptop, but some things only work in IE for some reason. So it's good to have it as a backup.

I'd never shop online with it though.

theheyes · 15 Aug 2009 at 14:45

ravl585 said:
I've personally never touched IE since i discovered firefox, always complain to my girlfriend when she use's it on her laptop, but some things only work in IE for some reason. So it's good to have it as a backup.

I'd never shop online with it though.

Yeah some things only work or look right in IE, which is a bad thing but an unavoidable truth really. Some businesses rely on IE for bespoke applications and of course you'll always have web developers who need to test their sites.

Shopping online is fine with IE8, and to be honest if your computer is compromised it really doesn't matter which browser you are using.

In regards to IE8 being a good browser or not, I think it is. I'm not saying it is the best browser as that is down to personal preference, but in some configurations IE8 can offer you very good security.

Of course, some people can't live without their Firefox extensions and Chrome is fast, but IE8 is not a bad browser by any means.

Chrismk · 15 Aug 2009 at 15:13

theheyes said:
It's an alternative, but not really a solution to the specific problem. IE8 is a good browser and some people need it.

Go to the IE8 site and download and run the IE8 installer again. It will remove your existing install and replace it. This has fixed a couple of quirky problems I've had with IE8.

Precisely! It may be that I turn to one of the others eventually but for the moment I need to get this sorted! I'll try re-installing agian. Thanks

Chrismk · 15 Aug 2009 at 15:33

theheyes said:
Go to the IE8 site and download and run the IE8 installer again. It will remove your existing install and replace it. This has fixed a couple of quirky problems I've had with IE8.

Ah, except none of the versions there will install on Windows 7

theheyes · 15 Aug 2009 at 16:00

Chrismk said:
Ah, except none of the versions there will install on Windows 7

Hmm. If I get time later I'll have a go on my Win7 machine unless somebody else has a solution.

Chrismk · 15 Aug 2009 at 17:26

I have the same problem in Firefox as well !!

The only time a new page opens in a new tab is when its from a link (I ticked that option). Like, for instance when I click on this forum's link from Overclockers home page.

Incidentally, I tried using IE8's main reset button and that didn't make any difference. The version in Win 7 RC1 is 8.0.7100. I can't find it available for download anywhere.

Looks like I might have to start using the control key!

Mattus · 15 Aug 2009 at 17:35

ravl585 said:
I'd never shop online with it though.

There's lots of reasons to complain at IE but security isn't one of them. IE8 is the most secure browser on Vista/7 because it runs with low privileges.

theheyes · 15 Aug 2009 at 19:19

Chrismk said:
Ah, except none of the versions there will install on Windows 7

Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features. On the left hand side of the window it will say something like "Turn Windows features on or off", click this and wait for the list to populate. When the list appears, locate Internet Explorer 8, uncheck the tick box and press ok and ok the warning. Reboot your computer and IE8 will be gone.

Now go into the same menu and re-check the IE8 box. This should reinstall the software and after rebooting again it will be back. As far as I can tell this achieves the same thing as removing/adding the software with an installer package.

Worth a try to see if it fixes your problem.

Chrismk · 16 Aug 2009 at 00:07

No go I'm afraid but thanks for your input. Strangely it is also happening in Firefox. I wonder is there is some other setting I have inadvertantly changed. In the meantime I'll try and get used to using the control key. I've just discovered if you have a folder full of links and click on that while pressing the ctrl key - all the links open in separate tabs. That could be useful!

Aod · 16 Aug 2009 at 03:53

Chrismk said:
No go I'm afraid but thanks for your input. Strangely it is also happening in Firefox. I wonder is there is some other setting I have inadvertantly changed. In the meantime I'll try and get used to using the control key. I've just discovered if you have a folder full of links and click on that while pressing the ctrl key - all the links open in separate tabs. That could be useful!

opera's been doing that for years, along with making middle-click (scroll wheel!) open links in a new tab as opposed to the current one...

i wasn't entirely sure what you meant in the OP...