InternetOpenW function (wininet.h)

Initializes an application’s use of the WinINet functions.

Syntax

Parameters

Pointer to a null-terminated string that specifies the name of the application or entity calling the WinINet functions. This name is used as the user agent in the HTTP protocol.

Type of access required. This parameter can be one of the following values.

Value	Meaning
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_DIRECT	Resolves all host names locally.
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PRECONFIG	Retrieves the proxy or direct configuration from the registry.
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PRECONFIG_WITH_NO_AUTOPROXY	Retrieves the proxy or direct configuration from the registry and prevents the use of a startup Microsoft JScript or Internet Setup (INS) file.
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY	Passes requests to the proxy unless a proxy bypass list is supplied and the name to be resolved bypasses the proxy. In this case, the function uses INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_DIRECT.

Pointer to a null-terminated string that specifies the name of the proxy server(s) to use when proxy access is specified by setting dwAccessType to INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY. Do not use an empty string, because InternetOpen will use it as the proxy name. The WinINet functions recognize only CERN type proxies (HTTP only) and the TIS FTP gateway (FTP only). If Microsoft Internet Explorer is installed, these functions also support SOCKS proxies. FTP requests can be made through a CERN type proxy either by changing them to an HTTP request or by using InternetOpenUrl. If dwAccessType is not set to INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY, this parameter is ignored and should be NULL. For more information about listing proxy servers, see the Listing Proxy Servers section of Enabling Internet Functionality.

Pointer to a null-terminated string that specifies an optional list of host names or IP addresses, or both, that should not be routed through the proxy when dwAccessType is set to INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY. The list can contain wildcards. Do not use an empty string, because InternetOpen will use it as the proxy bypass list. If this parameter specifies the » » macro, the function bypasses the proxy for any host name that does not contain a period.

By default, WinINet will bypass the proxy for requests that use the host names «localhost», «loopback», «127.0.0.1», or «[::1]». This behavior exists because a remote proxy server typically will not resolve these addresses properly.Internet ExplorerВ 9:В В You can remove the local computer from the proxy bypass list using the » » macro.

If dwAccessType is not set to INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY, this parameter is ignored and should be NULL.

Options. This parameter can be a combination of the following values.

Value	Meaning
INTERNET_FLAG_ASYNC	Makes only asynchronous requests on handles descended from the handle returned from this function.
INTERNET_FLAG_FROM_CACHE	Does not make network requests. All entities are returned from the cache. If the requested item is not in the cache, a suitable error, such as ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND, is returned.
INTERNET_FLAG_OFFLINE	Identical to INTERNET_FLAG_FROM_CACHE. Does not make network requests. All entities are returned from the cache. If the requested item is not in the cache, a suitable error, such as ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND, is returned.

Return value

Returns a valid handle that the application passes to subsequent WinINet functions. If InternetOpen fails, it returns NULL. To retrieve a specific error message, call GetLastError.

Remarks

InternetOpen is the first WinINet function called by an application. It tells the Internet DLL to initialize internal data structures and prepare for future calls from the application. When the application finishes using the Internet functions, it should call InternetCloseHandle to free the handle and any associated resources.

The application can make any number of calls to InternetOpen, though a single call is normally sufficient. The application might need to define separate behaviors for each InternetOpen instance, such as different proxy servers configured for each.

After the calling application has finished using the HINTERNET handle returned by InternetOpen, it must be closed using the InternetCloseHandle function.

Like all other aspects of the WinINet API, this function cannot be safely called from within DllMain or the constructors and destructors of global objects.

The wininet.h header defines InternetOpen as an alias which automatically selects the ANSI or Unicode version of this function based on the definition of the UNICODE preprocessor constant. Mixing usage of the encoding-neutral alias with code that not encoding-neutral can lead to mismatches that result in compilation or runtime errors. For more information, see Conventions for Function Prototypes.

InternetOpenA function (wininet.h)

Initializes an application’s use of the WinINet functions.

Syntax

Parameters

Pointer to a null-terminated string that specifies the name of the application or entity calling the WinINet functions. This name is used as the user agent in the HTTP protocol.

Type of access required. This parameter can be one of the following values.

Value	Meaning
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_DIRECT	Resolves all host names locally.
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PRECONFIG	Retrieves the proxy or direct configuration from the registry.
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PRECONFIG_WITH_NO_AUTOPROXY	Retrieves the proxy or direct configuration from the registry and prevents the use of a startup Microsoft JScript or Internet Setup (INS) file.
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY	Passes requests to the proxy unless a proxy bypass list is supplied and the name to be resolved bypasses the proxy. In this case, the function uses INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_DIRECT.

Pointer to a null-terminated string that specifies the name of the proxy server(s) to use when proxy access is specified by setting dwAccessType to INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY. Do not use an empty string, because InternetOpen will use it as the proxy name. The WinINet functions recognize only CERN type proxies (HTTP only) and the TIS FTP gateway (FTP only). If Microsoft Internet Explorer is installed, these functions also support SOCKS proxies. FTP requests can be made through a CERN type proxy either by changing them to an HTTP request or by using InternetOpenUrl. If dwAccessType is not set to INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY, this parameter is ignored and should be NULL. For more information about listing proxy servers, see the Listing Proxy Servers section of Enabling Internet Functionality.

Pointer to a null-terminated string that specifies an optional list of host names or IP addresses, or both, that should not be routed through the proxy when dwAccessType is set to INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY. The list can contain wildcards. Do not use an empty string, because InternetOpen will use it as the proxy bypass list. If this parameter specifies the » » macro, the function bypasses the proxy for any host name that does not contain a period.

By default, WinINet will bypass the proxy for requests that use the host names «localhost», «loopback», «127.0.0.1», or «[::1]». This behavior exists because a remote proxy server typically will not resolve these addresses properly.Internet ExplorerВ 9:В В You can remove the local computer from the proxy bypass list using the » » macro.

If dwAccessType is not set to INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PROXY, this parameter is ignored and should be NULL.

Options. This parameter can be a combination of the following values.

Value	Meaning
INTERNET_FLAG_ASYNC	Makes only asynchronous requests on handles descended from the handle returned from this function.
INTERNET_FLAG_FROM_CACHE	Does not make network requests. All entities are returned from the cache. If the requested item is not in the cache, a suitable error, such as ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND, is returned.
INTERNET_FLAG_OFFLINE	Identical to INTERNET_FLAG_FROM_CACHE. Does not make network requests. All entities are returned from the cache. If the requested item is not in the cache, a suitable error, such as ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND, is returned.

Return value

Returns a valid handle that the application passes to subsequent WinINet functions. If InternetOpen fails, it returns NULL. To retrieve a specific error message, call GetLastError.

Remarks

InternetOpen is the first WinINet function called by an application. It tells the Internet DLL to initialize internal data structures and prepare for future calls from the application. When the application finishes using the Internet functions, it should call InternetCloseHandle to free the handle and any associated resources.

The application can make any number of calls to InternetOpen, though a single call is normally sufficient. The application might need to define separate behaviors for each InternetOpen instance, such as different proxy servers configured for each.

After the calling application has finished using the HINTERNET handle returned by InternetOpen, it must be closed using the InternetCloseHandle function.

Like all other aspects of the WinINet API, this function cannot be safely called from within DllMain or the constructors and destructors of global objects.

The wininet.h header defines InternetOpen as an alias which automatically selects the ANSI or Unicode version of this function based on the definition of the UNICODE preprocessor constant. Mixing usage of the encoding-neutral alias with code that not encoding-neutral can lead to mismatches that result in compilation or runtime errors. For more information, see Conventions for Function Prototypes.

Internet Options not opening in Control Panel in Windows 7

Replies (4) 

1. Did you make any changes on the computer prior to the issue?
2. Do you receive any error message when you try to open Internet Option in Control Panel?
3. Do you receive any error message?

Method 1:
Check if you are able to open Internet Explorer by using the command: iexplore
a) Click Start.
b) Click Run
c) Type ‘iexplore’ in the run box.
d) Hit Enter

It should open a new window for Internet Explorer.

Additionally also check if you are able to open internet option by using the command: inetcpl.cpl

a) Click Start.
b) Click Run
c) Type ‘inetcpl.cpl’ in the run box
d) Hit Enter

It will open the ‘Internet Option’ window directly.

Method 2:
Step 1: You may try to boot into safe mode with Networking and check
Advanced startup options (including safe mode)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Advanced-startup-options-including-safe-mode

Step 2:If the issue doesn’t occur in safe mode with networking then try to perform a clean boot and check.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
Note: After trouble shooting put the computer to start as usual by performing step 7 from the above Knowledge Base article.

Method 3:
You may try to reset Internet Explorer setting and check if that helps.

Disclaimer: IE reset Disclaimer: The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature might reset security settings or privacy settings that you added to the list of Trusted Sites. The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature might also reset parental control settings. We recommend that you note these sites before you use the Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature.

How to locate and open Internet Explorer in Windows 10

Technical Level : Basic

Summary

Windows 10 represents a major revision of the client operating system; one major change is how we browse and experience the Internet. Windows 10 will include a new web browser called Microsoft Edge. This will be the new default web browser in Windows 10, replacing the well known Internet Explorer which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015. Even though Microsoft will be the default web browser in Windows 10, Internet Explorer will still be around for legacy purposes. In this article, we take a look at how to access Internet Explorer if you still need to use it.

Details

Please note, Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Pro LTSB (Long Term Service Branch) editions do not include Internet Explorer. Windows 10 LTSB editions are normally available to volume license customers. Your only option is to use a non LTSB version of Windows 10. This will require speaking with your IT department or Desktop Support Technician within your organization. Windows 10 LTSB editions do not include Microsoft Edge either.

When you do a fresh install Windows 10, you will only see Microsoft Edge as your default web browser pinned to the Taskbar and Start > All Apps.

You can access Internet Explorer two ways:

Click Start > All Apps and look under Windows Accessories

Once you have located it, right click it and click Pin to Taskbar

Another way you can locate it is by using the Search box on the Taskbar, type Internet Explorer, right click it and click Pin to Taskbar

Last, but not least, using the Run command.

How to Quick Access Internet Options in Windows 10

Internet Options contains many settings to allow you to configure your Internet display and connection settings. You’ll find it at Control Panel > Network and Internet > Internet Options. This guide describes another 3 quick ways to open Internet Options(Internet Properties) in Windows 10.

3 Ways to Open Internet Options ( Internet Properties)

Way 1: Open Internet Options from Search bar

Press Windows key to focus on the Search box. Then type Internet, and hit Enter key.

Internet Properties window shows.

Way 2: Open Internet Options from Run Dialog

Press Win+R to bring up Run dialog, type inetcpl.cpl, then hit Enter key.

Way 3: Open Internet Options from Control Panel

1. Right-click on the Internet icon, select Open Network and Sharing Center option.

2. Then click on Internet Options in the left low corner of Control Panel.