Article ID: 968129 - Last Review: April 30, 2012 - Revision: 11.0

Error message about the Skype 3.8 IE Plugin when you start Internet Explorer 8: "Internet Explorer 8 is in a special no-add-ons mode so that you can fix a compatibility problem with Skype 3.8 IE Plugin"

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SYMPTOMS

You have Skype 3.8 for Windows installed on your computer. When you start Windows Internet Explorer 8, you receive the following error message:
Internet Explorer 8 is in a special no-add-ons mode so that you can fix a compatibility problem with Skype 3.8 IE Plugin:
This incompatibility will cause Internet Explorer 8 to stop responding or crash.

Note The "Skype 3.8 IE Plug-in" Internet Explorer add-on is designed to give additional capabilities to Internet Explorer. However, this add-on may not be compatible with a particular version of Internet Explorer 8.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this incompatibility, use one of the following two options.

Option 1: Update to the latest version of Skype for Windows

To update to the latest version of Skype for Windows, install the latest version of Skype from:
http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows (http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows)

Option 2: Disable the Skype 3.8 IE Plugin

To disable the Skype 3.8 IE Plugin, follow these steps:
  1. Close all Internet Explorer windows.
  2. Open a new Internet Explorer window.
  3. When you receive the message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section, click Always open Internet Explorer without this add-on.

    Note After you click Always open Internet Explorer without this add-on, Internet Explorer 8 does not load the Skype add-on. You will still be able to use the Skype program to call people. However, you cannot click telephone numbers in Web pages to call people by using Skype.
Note The Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services can also be used to diagnose and resolve this issue. For more information about the Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services, please see the following article:
Internet Explorer freezes or crashes (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/ie_freezes_or_crashes)

REFERENCES

For more information about browser add-ons, refer to these Microsoft Web sites:
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

APPLIES TO
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Enterprise N
  • Windows 7 Home Basic
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Windows 7 Home Premium N
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Professional N
  • Windows 7 Starter
  • Windows 7 Starter N
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows 7 Ultimate N
  • Windows Internet Explorer 8
Keywords: 
kbaddin kbhowto kb3rdpartysoftware kbFAQ kbexpertisebeginner kbsurveynew kbprb KB968129