JavaScript cannot open a new pop-up window from an Outlook message in Windows XP Service Pack 2 (885755)

SYMPTOMS

When JavaScript runs outside Microsoft Internet Explorer, JavaScript is no longer permitted to open a new Internet Explorer pop-up window by using the window.open() method to display the contents or to run the contents of the specified URL. Specifically, JavaScript is prevented from opening a new pop-up window from the Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 Run dialog box and from a Microsoft Office application.

Changing Zone Settings to Internet on the Security tab does not resolve this problem. You can find the Security tab in Outlook Tools under Options.

CAUSE

Enhanced security has been added to prevent JavaScript from opening a new pop-up window when JavaScript runs out of context in Windows XP Service Pack 2. This problem occurs when JavaScript is embedded as a hyperlink in a Microsoft Outlook message.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, you have to provide a direct link to the resource that you want to reference. After that resource is open, the resource can run JavaScript when it is required.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce the problem

Put the following code sample in an Outlook message as a hyperlink.

javascript:str='http://{your favorite link here}';window.open(str, '_blank')

Press CTRL+CLICK to run the code sample in step 1.

You may see a window quickly appear and then disappear. You may hear an error sound. Other than these two symptoms, there is no other warning or error that is generated.

You can also reproduce this problem if you put the code sample in step 1 in a Microsoft Word document or in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. You can also reproduce this problem if you run the code sample in step 1 from the Run dialog box in Windows XP Service Pack 2.