14th August 2002
Gnomies love Internet Explorer tips, and I think Lockergnomie Isaac Eiland-Hall says this one best. "If you use Internet Explorer, and you double-click on a .URL file (Internet shortcut), and you already have multiple browser windows open, IE will open the link in one of your open windows. If this annoys you, there's a way to force it to open in a new window. Also, if you Start | Run to open a Web site, and you already have a browser window open, again it will open the link in that window. But there's a way around it. To create a shortcut that ALWAYS opens a Web site in a new IE instance: (1) Create a shortcut to 'iexplore'; (2) edit the properties of the shortcut, and append the command to be: iexplore [URL] (with the URL being the full Web address without brackets); (3) Rename your shortcut so you know what it is. You can put these in your Favorites folder - in fact, you can put anything in your Favorites, like shortcuts to your favorite programs, or even programs themselves (if the executable is a standalone type). If you want to do this from the Run command, instead of typing the Web address like you normally do, do it the same way: 'iexplore [URL]' (sans brackets or quotes)." You can also take this tip to the next level by placing your Favorites folder (loaded with your modified shortcuts) in your Quick Launch Bar giving you easy access to your favorite Web sites without having to change the current Web page you have open.