# IE opening links in browser window other than that in which the link was clicked
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [December 9, 2006, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470 "2006-12-09T15:09:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2006, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/1 "2006-12-09T15:09:56Z")
Since I reinstalled Windows last night, IE has been doing something very irritating. When I click on links in my favourites menu, rather than opening the link in the browser window in which I clicked on the link, it opens it up in another browser window, usually the first one. What option is that and how can I fix it?
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2006, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/2 "2006-12-09T15:38:18Z")
Assuming IE 6, try Tools \>\> Internet Options \>\> Advanced tab. Near the middle of the “Browsing” section is an option “Reuse windws for launching shortcuts”. Try un-checking that.
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### Author:  [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2006, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/3 "2006-12-09T23:43:34Z")
Thanks. That is less annoying, but now it opens up a new window entirely. I wish I could just get it to do what it used to do - open up the thing I requested in the window I requested it in.
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### Author:  [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/4 "2006-12-10T02:03:28Z")
This IE 7 by any chance? I’ve noticed all sorts of odd link-opening behaviour in it: my favorite is when I clicked a few links and they opened as tabs…in another window from the one I was in.
I suspect they’ve just got a few kinks to work out, yet.
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### Author:  [@scottkris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scottkris)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2006, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/5 "2006-12-10T02:42:13Z")
[QUOTE=TimeWinder]
This IE 7 by any chance? I’ve noticed all sorts of odd link-opening behaviour in it: my favorite is when I clicked a few links and they opened as tabs…in another window from the one I was in.
I suspect they’ve just got a few kinks to work out, yet.
[/QUOTE]
UGGGHHHH!!! Microsoft has “upgraded” several of their programs lately.
IE7 and the 'tabs" I can get used to, but I **ABSOLUTLY HATE** Media Player 11 and their “beta” MSN mail.
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### Author:  [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/6 "2006-12-10T02:57:33Z")
Nope, it’s IE 6.
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### Author:  [@scottkris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scottkris)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/7 "2006-12-10T03:04:57Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl]
Nope, it’s IE 6.
[/QUOTE]
Are 'transitions" turned off?
I know that was am annoyance for me (after I reinstalled WXP and was used to my “old” style). I no longer have IE6, so am not sure how to turn it off again.
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### Author:  [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2006, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/8 "2006-12-10T06:34:08Z")
What are ‘transitions’?
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### Author:  [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2006, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/9 "2006-12-10T06:58:07Z")
[Transitions](http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/ie6/transitions.aspx)
“Turned on, this option makes Internet Explorer fade out of a page you are leaving and fade into a page you’re going to.”
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### Author:  [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)
#### Post date: [December 10, 2006, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie-opening-links-in-browser-window-other-than-that-in-which-the-link-was-clicked/383470/10 "2006-12-10T06:59:29Z")
I turned it off, but it doesn’t seem to make any difference.