Windows 10: Browsers denying connections

I'm using Windows 11, OMEN Laptop. I don't know where to look for help, and I'm VERY paranoid I got a virus. I downloaded a program, and it contained a redistributable file from Microsoft. I installed it and it went fine until it closed and then the default windows installer opened and said "Preparing to install" and would stay on that. If I hit cancel, it'd take a bit and then close, but then reopen and continue the process. Task manager would close it, but would cause an error from it. I don't remember the error, but if I closed the error it would reopen. I restarted my laptop and deleted th

:)

 

W10 can connect to wider internet but cannot access web pages

I have an odd issue with my W10 laptop linked to Sky broadband in the UK via wifi using a Sky router. The effect is that while I can actually access the internet (I can send and receive emails using Outlook and can connect to other machines using TeamViewer) I cannot access any web site (Google, BBC etc). There is no specific error message, merely that the access request timed out and a suggestion that it may be to do with proxy. I have tried the following:

1. Other systems (W10 and ios) can access web sites using the same Sky router (therefore probably not a router problem)
2. I have sent and received emails using Outlook, so the broadband connection is working (probably not a Sky problem)
3. I have tried two different browsers (Firefox and Edge), no connection (not a browser problem)
4. I am using Windows Defender and have:
   1. Made sure that Firefox is in the list of allowed systems in its Firewall, no connection after a reboot
   2. Turned off the Firewall and tried again - no connection

My next step will be to re-install Windows, but has anyone got any other suggestions? Could it be some sort of virus (I have carried out a complete virus check using Defender) So - any suggestions?

 

Unable to connect to internet on browsers except for Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 computer.

Hi Nad,



Thank you for replying with the error messages received on trying to connect to internet on different browsers.



Please reply, did you try performing System restore as suggested in the above post?



If haven’t tried performing System restore, flush your PC’s
DNS cache by following the steps below and check if the issue is resolved. Performing the below steps will clear DNS cache from the computer and renew the IP configuration set on the computer.

• Press Windows key + X keys on the keyboard and select
  Command prompt (Admin) from the context menu.
• Type the following command and press Enter after each entries:
  • ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /registerdns
  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
• Close the windows and check if the changes are effective.

If the above steps does not resolve the issue, perform
System restore by following steps mentioned in the above post and check if it helps.



Write to us with the status of unable to connect to internet on other browser except for Edge on the computer
for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.

 

Denis, it worked!

Denis, I removed 365. Then I clicked my Word shortcut and got a brief window that said Updating Office Enterprise 2007. When that went away I had all of my *.exe files back in Office 12 and even my Recent Documents list for Word! Thankyouthankyouthankyou. Your list of steps worked perfectly. I will mark this one Solved!