When you click a link to a google drive folder from within word your web browser returns an update your browser message

Last updated: November 2016

Issue

When you click a link to a Google Drive folder from within Word, your web browser returns an "Update your browser" message.

Status: Workaround

Important: These steps tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

To work around this issue, either add the ForceShellExecute subkey, if it is not present, and set the Value data, or if it is present, set the Value data of the ForceShellExecute subkey.

1. Quit any programs that are running.

2. Click Start, and then click Run. Type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.

3. In Registry Editor, browse to one of the following subkey (create the keys when they do not exist):

   For a 32 Bit version of Office on 64 bit version of Windows

   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common\Internet\

   For a 32 Bit version of Office on 32 bit version of Windows

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common\Internet

   For a 64 Bit version of Office on 64 bit version of Windows

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common\Internet

4. Make sure the Internet subkey is selected. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value. Add the following registry value:

   Value Name: ForceShellExecute

5. Double-click ForceShellExecute, and then set the Value data to 1. Click OK.

6. On the Registry menu, click Exit.

You'll probably need to restart Word (and maybe your computer) after this change.

The only known effect of this workaround is that hyperlinks to Office document file content will open in your browser, prompting a download instead of opening in-app.

Check whether the problem is fixed. If it's not fixed, you can contact support.

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See Also

Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Word for PC