Windows 7 without a browser? Get one here...

Django x2 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:02

For those of you wondering how anyone is supposed to download a browser without a browser installed and without any other system at hand: Create a very simple HTML application (*.hta).

1) Create a new text file called anything.hta
2) Edit it with Notepad
3) Add this line:

<iframe src="http://www.google.com/" width="100%" height="100%" />
4) Save the file, close Notepad
5) Double-click anything.hta and go get your browser of choice

HTAs don’t have the usual navigation buttons, no URL bar, no cookie support, no builtin security features, but they can download files, which is all you need to get a browser.

Kriist · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:10

good tip

wilsky · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:12

Very nice!

sorn21 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:20

It may be worth noting that if your having difficulty getting it to work change ” to " in above code.

Works well when replaced however, good job!

dante6491 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:21

Can't you just install IE8 from Windows Update?

Glaucus · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:23

dante6491 said:
Can't you just install IE8 from Windows Update?

I don't think so.

Dano · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:24

Wonder how well that sort of thing would bypass nasty infections blocking access to anti-nasty websites.

apatia77 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:28

Lucero - nice tip thx for sharing

Oh noooo, it isnt working for me

matthewhotdude · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:39

It doesnt work, when I click I get this error

"cannot find file:///C:/users/Ian/Desktop/"http://www.google.com/"`. Make sure the path or internet address is correct

EDIT*

It may be worth noting that if your having difficulty getting it to work change ” to " in above code.

Works well when replaced however, good job!

Thanks sorted

bulldog147 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:41

Why on earth Microsoft should have including IE8 disc that come with any windows 7 version in the retail box witrh seperator disc of 32 bit, 64 bit and IE8 ?

matthewhotdude · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:45

bulldog147 said:
Why on earth Microsoft should have including IE8 disc that come with any windows 7 version in the retail box witrh seperator disc of 32 bit, 64 bit and IE8 ?

The EU should stop meadlling

bulldog147 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:47

It so stupid of EU ruling. Really stupid ! I hate EU as they charged UK 17.5% in January 2010 and 22.5% in Ireland. Why the rest of european get less than 10% on VAT ? Seem not fair on our country.

apatia77 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:49

matthewhotdude said:
It doesnt work, when I click I get this error

"cannot find file:///C:/users/Ian/Desktop/"http://www.google.com/"`. Make sure the path or internet address is correct

EDIT*

Thanks sorted

+1

EDIT:

While I was getting tons of error messages I have managed to download IE from microsoft website and firefox from mozilla website

Hamster · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:51

Good find

So if anyone just wants to copy/paste the code:

<iframe src="http://www.google.com/" width="100%" height="100%" />

Django x2 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:54

sorry, my dodgy formatting.

monkeyspank · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:55

Cool, I'll bookmark this so I can refer to it again on my fresh win 7 install

Dano · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:57

monkeyspank said:
Cool, I'll bookmark this so I can refer to it again on my fresh win 7 install

LMAO

Theguy · 24 Jul 2009 at 13:10

nice tip, thank you

Ascendancy · 24 Jul 2009 at 13:29

Do .hta files run on a browserless environment though?

sibeer · 24 Jul 2009 at 13:31

I can't believe there won't be a way of getting any browser on your system directly from a fresh install or the disk. Surely it will be an "Optional" upgrade in Windows Update (like the Media Center upgrades are in XP). That or it will be a Extra on the disk but not installed by default.

I don't agree with it, but I can understand the reasoning behind preventing install as standard, restrictions on distributing it though would be even more ridiculous. By taking it out they have forced Windows to be a less integrated OS than any of it's competitors, surely that is anti-competitive against MS? While they are at it they may as well take out other value added features, CD Burning, Notepad, Paint, Media Player, Messenger, Disk Defragmenter, etc all have competitors to you know.