[edited: oops... I just noticed that I posted this in a search engine thread. My apologies to all! Let me know if I should delete this or maybe moderator will. Meantime I'll look elsewhere to post.]

I have tried repeatedly to change my IE 6 browser's home page thru TOOLS/Internet OPTIONS but it doesn't stick. Keeps changing back to the MSN pge. I click Apply and OK. But when I reopen the Internet Options window it has already reverted back to the MSN home page url.

Here's the url of the home page:
http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir...r=6&ar=msnhome


This url redirects to http://www.msn.com

I saw somewhere in the registry that IE home or start page is set to this url. I tried to change or delete it and it wouldn't let me.

Help?

Download spysweeper, it will fix your problem in a sec.
Alternative is - spybot search n destroy.

XpIndia,
I downloaded spybot, ran it, only found some tracking links to delete.

I see the place to lock the IE start page. But the problem is that I can't even get a change to stick. It immediatly reverts to msn.com before I can get to spybot to lock it. In other words something is causing me not to be able to change the start page, not even for a second!

HMMMMMM rant about IE ommited.

Ibbo

Originally Posted by partherton

XpIndia,
I downloaded spybot, ran it, only found some tracking links to delete.

I see the place to lock the IE start page. But the problem is that I can't even get a change to stick. It immediatly reverts to msn.com before I can get to spybot to lock it. In other words something is causing me not to be able to change the start page, not even for a second!

Have you tried spy sweeper?
It is the best.
In the mean time can you post ths contents of your host file ?
It is in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc (open with notepad)

If you need spysweeper, then pm me, my friend has it, he can spare for you.. may be

I personally use firefox. But it's my mom having this problem and she uses IE. I've not been successful in getting her to use anything else yet. I'm also now away from her computer. Next time I visit her I'll check the host file. I didn't even think about that.

So, it will be awhile before I can get back to her problem.

Thanks everybody!

use adaware and that'll fix your problems alltogether

Spyware doctor is another one > goto Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews - Download.com and download.

MSN so despirate, has been hijacking homepages of millions of IE users. Very sad

Why is MSN doing this ?

If you are comfortable doing VNC with me, then probably I could have a look.
And see what can be done . N I wont put any horse on ur pc

Thanks for the offers to VNC and suggestions to run spyware. I've run spybot and adaware to no avail. And like I said, I'm not longer at my mom's so I can't access her computer to post host file or to VNC. I'll just keep digging and will post here later when I get back to her computer.

Thanks

Just a thought, Many Spy and Adware utilities (like Spy Sweeper) have IE Hijacking Shields that detect any changes to the Default (MSN) Home page setting in Internet Options.

You would need to change the setting in the Shield to whatever Home Page you prefer.

Thanks, Storm. I'm not sure why, but during my last visit to my Mom's computer, MSN is no longer the default home page and the one she set it to is sticking. Don't know what happened but am happy it's fixed!

Download and run SpyBot

While this is off the point, I hate it when Microsoft products (e.g. IE or MSN Messenger) jump out at you when you've minimized them. For example, when you sign into MSN but minimize it as it signs in, once it has completed signing it, it takes over the whole screen and yo have to minimize it again. Then if you open up IE and minimize it, it automatically opens over whatever you are using (Firefox) and you have to minimize it. Firefox or non-Microsoft products do not do this - I think it's Microsoft's desperation to try and take over everything on your computer, in the same way they have taken over most of the computer market

I had the same problem and just figured out where the problem was. I was running ad watch from ad aware and I think that ad aware has something to do with the new company who purchased them and they are related to msn. Run your computer without the ad watch and your home page will stay at whatever you decide to make it.

Most anti-spyware including adaware & adwatch have an IE settings protection feature that will monitor various aspects of IE, including the "home page" to prevent it being altered by spyware. Unless you change it using the adaware control panel it will always reset it to the default chosen when you installed it (or changed via the CP).

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Most anti-spyware including adaware & adwatch have an IE settings protection feature that will monitor various aspects of IE, including the "home page" to prevent it being altered by spyware. Unless you change it using the adaware control panel it will always reset it to the default chosen when you installed it (or changed via the CP).

Spybot S+E also does this