Solution for computer users who can’t print from Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7)

Since I use Firefox exclusively for my browsing, I haven’t seen this problem yet, but today I ran into a computer that could print from anywhere but Internet Explorer 7 (IE7). Turns out that, in her case, the upgrade to AVG 8.0 caused the problem. A standard installation of AVG 8 installs a security toolbar in Firefox, if you use it, or Internet Explorer 7. The toolbar is meant to help users from clicking on potentially harmful web links. However, the toolbar, like most toolbars, slows down browsing speeds and in the case of Internet Explorer 7 with Windows Vista, it also disables the ability to print!

The solution to get Internet Explorer (IE7) working again is to uninstall AVG 8.0 and reinstall it using the following instructions. Incidentally, these instructions were posted by an alert and astute visitor to the web site within a week of my original AVG 8.0 post. I use this method exclusively when installing AVG 8.0 on client’s computers:

How to install AVG without LinkScanner

1. Download the AVG 8.0 Free Edition installation package by clicking here
2. Save the file to your C: drive (not the desktop or any folder)
3. Change the file name to avg (or avg.exe if you can see the three letter extensions)
4. Click Start
5. Click Run
6. Type:   C:\avg.exe /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch
   
• You might want to copy and paste the above text into the run box so you don’t mistype something
7. Click OK and follow on-screen instructions to complete installation.
   

For Vista and XP users who can’t print with Internet Explorer 7 after installing AVG, this solution will get you printing again.

If, however, AVG 8 is not your problem, then your best bet is to reset Internet Explorer 7 by:

1. Closing all Internet Explorer windows
2. Click Start –> Control Panel
3. Click Internet Options in Windows XP  (Click Network and Internet, then Internet Options in Windows Vista)
4. Click the Advanced tab
5. Click Reset
6. Click Reset