IE11 Opens blank tabs, must use new window

Question

I'm running Windows 7 Pro SP1 with IE11 on my desktop. About two months ago I d/l'd all updates through the usual windows update and let them install. Shortly afterward I noticed that IE11 was no longer working correctly. I would click on a link and a new
tab would open but it was blank. I then tried it with open in new window and it would do nothing. Then I tried the usual disable add-ons and such with the same results. I then tried using the reset and it kept telling me that I had to close all open window
and programs. despite nothing open or running. Then I booted in safe mode and was able to successfully reset IE. I tried once again to use IE and the same thing continues to happen. IE11 has basically been rendered useless. I even tried going back to prior
versions like 10 and even 9 with the same results. Troubleshooting came up with nothing.
Can someone please help? I'm using Firefox as my default now and would like to go back to IE11.
Thanks
Michael

Answer 1

Roll up your sleeves & cross your fingers...
[You will want to print these instructions for offline reference. You must complete all of the steps in one (1)
uninterrupted session - allow a minimum of two hours. If a Step says to reboot,
reboot!]
1. Right-click on the following link to download the Norton Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop:
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe
2. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar).
3. After making certain you have a copy of your Product Key handy, uninstall
Norton Internet Security and then
LiveUpdate (if list) as well as any Norton Add-ons via
Start | Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features.
4. IMPORTANT! => Make certain that the Windows Firewall is enbled immediately after rebooting! [Should happen automatically but I want you to check.]
NB: You're "working without a net" now: Don't to ANYTHING
else online (e.g., browsing; reading email; chatting) until you've completed Step #7 below!
5. Right-click on the file you saved in Step #1 above and select Run as Administrator to run the utility. Don'tTOUCH your keyboard until the run completes, then reboot.
6. Do a clean install of Norton Internet Security v21.x using your Product ID, if need be, & reboot; see this page =>
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20090225155411EN_EndUserProfile_en_us?q=reinstall
NOTE: Do NOT enable or install any Norton Add-ons or toolbars (e.g., Norton Anti-Phishing) just yet.
7. Manually and repeatedly run (Norton) LiveUpdate until you get a "no more updates" prompt.
8. Download/run the appropriate scripts from the following Trusted Source (my colleague IE MVP Kai Schätzl):
http://iefaq.info/index.php?action=artikel&cat=42&id=133&artlang=en
     Note => The scripts are good for IE9, IE10 & IE11, too!
Tip: The file named ie8-rereg.all.zip contains both of the scripts below (plus a third one you will NOT use).
9a. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar) then double-click on the file named
ie8-rereg.32on64.cmd to run the script.
9b. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar) then double-click on the file named
ie8-rereg.64on64.cmd to run that script then reboot.
10. Re-assert Internet Explorer as the default Browser in the CUSTOM (<=important!) section of
Set Program Access and Computer Defaults. [1]
11a. Right-click on the following link and SAVE the download to your desk"color:#0066cc;">http://www.slipstick.com/doit/chromehtml.reg [2]
11b. Double-click on the file you saved in #11a above & accept the prompt to MERGE the data with the Registry.
12. Reset Internet Explorer per the instructions on this page =>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737
       Note=> For optimal results, check the
Delete personal settings option.
13a. Open Internet Explorer (only!) to
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946414 [ignore the title & Symptoms].
13b. Ignoring any "Not recommended" or similar warnings, run Fix It 50202 in DEFAULT
and then AGGRESSIVE modes. [3]
14. Reboot one last time & test IE functionality.
15. Reply to this post with a status report.
Good luck!
==========================================================
[1] After we've finished this thread, feel free to reassert one of your alternate browsers as your default if you wish.
[2] Trusted Source:
http://www.slipstick.com/problems/this-operation-has-been-cancelled-due-to-restrictions/ 
[3] Full Disclosure: Running the Fix It in AGGRESSIVE mode will delete your
Update History but not the list of Installed Updates.
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) MS MVP-Windows Client since 2002 Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft