How do I set IE8 default start-up arguments?

Question

I want to set IE to start with arguments every time launch it or he get invoked by an another process.

The argument is -nomerge

Answer 1

Well-behaved programs will use ShellExecute / ShellExecuteEx to launch URLs rather than executing iexplore.exe directly (so that they launch whatever browser you've set as default). Therefore, you could search the registry for occurrences of iexplore.exe, and (you'll have to use your judgement here, I'm not going to list all cases) where it is referring to an executable path (but not to fetch its icon), add the argument you want. You'll also have to add the argument to all shortcuts which point to iexplore.exe, which there shouldn't be too many of - on the start menu and quick launch bar; maybe on the desktop.

Answer 2

Browse to this path HKEY_CURRENT _USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main and set SessionMerging to 0

Answer 3

I can't think of a good solution for your question which doesn't involve monkeying with iexplore.exe.

I haven't test the solution offered below (which frankly I find a bit extreme even if it might answer your post):

1. Rename C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe as C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.orig.exe.

2. Open notepad, paste this in, and save it as C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.bat

   @echo off
   "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.orig.exe" -nomerge %*

3. Using a batch file compiler, such as Quick Batch File Compiler or Batch File Compiler Professional, compile iexplore.bat to C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

With this solution, "iexplore.orig.exe -nomerge" will run whenever iexplore.exe is invoked.

Some notes:

1. You will need to repeat this procedure whenever Windows Update replaces iexplore.exe.
2. You might need to carry out this procedure while booted in Safe mode.

Answer 4

There is a new registry setting for IE8 that appears to do the same thing as -nomerge. The new IE8 behavior that -nomerge defeats is a result of the process model change, and you can undo that with a registry setting. Create a DWORD value called TabProcGrowth in:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

The default setting is <absent>, you should first try 0 which will use the IE7-style process model. If that does what you want, then also try 1 which will give you some of the new features. Numbers greater than 1 may also be useful. More info is here.

Certainly you could replace iexplore.exe with iexplore.cmd or even a small program that executed the real iexplore.exe that you have hidden off somewhere, with new arguments. This poses a few problem, as Windows itself will clobber iexplore.exe with new versions and various protection mechanisms that come and go. I would definitely try the registry key first.

Answer 5

Instead of fiddling with shareware, just use a compiled language and make a second binary. Name iexplore.exe to iexplore2.exe, drop this in the directory along with it, and away you go:

#include<windows.h>
#include<shellapi.h>

int APIENTRY WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance,
                     HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
                     LPSTR lpCmdLine,
                     int nShowCmd)
{
    ShellExecute(NULL,NULL,"iexplore2.exe","-nomerge",NULL,SW_SHOW);
    return 0;
}

I compiled a binary for you here. If you don't trust it, you can compile the above source yourself with any up to date Windows compatible C++ compiler.

As noted previously, a Windows update for IE will probably mess this up. So keep a copy of this binary elsewhere.

Answer 6

Can you start it from a batch file?

iexplore.exe -nomerge

Answer 7

Wouldn't that be the same as turning on the option to open links in a new window? The setting can be found on Tools->Internet Options->General Tab->Tabs->Settings: