Prevent Windows from Reusing Browser Windows

Contributor Icon Contributed by AlexTheBeast Date Icon December 2, 2004  
Tag Icon Tagged: Windows

I hate when I click on a link in an email or from the address bar and IE replaces my current web page with the new one. Here’s how to force IE to open a new window.


I have an address bar on my taskbar at the bottom of my screen. Anytime I want to navigate to a new site, I usually just type it in there. If I already have a web page open, then IE will reuse that open browser session and change the web page. So annoying!

Other people may notice this as well. Say you are reading some fun site and you email dings that you have a new message. You click on a link in your email… and suddenly your fun little site is lost.

Here’s how to stop this foolishness.

Always back-up your system and call your mother before playing with the registry.

    1. Click Start
    2. Click Run
    3. In the textbox type regedit and click OK
    4. Navigate to HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    5. Double-click AllowWindowReuse
    6. Set value data to 0
    7. Click OK
    8. Close regedit and reboot
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  • Anonymous
    another solution is to use firefox hehehe
  • Frank Hill
    I found your advice and thought - great - however I have IE 6.0 and there is no entry under main that you mention.
  • Anonymous
    just create the AllowWindowReuse section if one doesn't exist.
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