MSN RunOnce Error - Blue Screen

A Relatively Simple Fix for IE7

Overview

Reported as affecting only the Beta version of Internet Explorer 7 (IE7), although I have experienced the same problem with the release version. A JScript error on the page results in the blank blue screen, preventing the user completing the set-up procedure for the browser. Because it never completes it will be shown every time the browser starts.

How to stop runonce.msn.com being displayed

I found a number of pages on various forums with all manner of theories concerning this annoying problemette. The best and easiest solution I found involves creating a couple of registry keys so that Internet Explorer thinks the page task has been completed.

Directly editing the registry should only be undertaken by someone who is confident that they know what they are doing.

The Windows Registry

Start the Windows Registry Editor, I will not explain how to do this as, if an explanation is needed, you should not tinker with the registry.

HKEY_LOCAL_USER

Expand:

HKEY_LOCAL_USER

Software

Microsoft

Internet Explorer

Main

Add 2 new DWORD keys:

From the Edit menu, select New then DWORD Value

Name this RunOnceComplete and set the value to 1

Repeat the above to create a key named RunOnceHasShown and set this value to 1

Check that the Internet Explorer Home Page is correctly set to the home page of your choice and start IE7.

Hey Presto! No blue screen