Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word 2019 Opening the Wrong URL from a Hyperlink

John Wilson Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Word 2019 navigates to an incorrect web address when clicking a hyperlink that involves an HTTP redirect.

How to Fix Word 2019 Opening the Wrong URL from a Hyperlink

Product: Microsoft Word 2019
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Clicking a redirected hyperlink within a Word document.
Observed behavior: Word opens the wrong URL or fails to locate the server due to Office's legacy hyperlink-launching components misinterpreting HTTP 302 redirects.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you back up your Windows Registry, as incorrect modifications can cause system instability. Also, verify that all running Microsoft Office applications are completely closed.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure the ForceShellExecute Registry Key

Modifying the registry to use the ForceShellExecute value forces Office to launch hyperlinks through the Windows Shell, bypassing older Windows DLLs and resolving redirect errors.

Microsoft Office 2019 relies on older Windows components to process hyperlinks by default. By enabling ForceShellExecute, you instruct Office to hand over the URL directly to your default web browser, much like using the Windows Run dialog.

Close Office Applications

Ensure that Word, Excel, Outlook, and all other Microsoft Office applications are completely closed.

Open Registry Editor

Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard, type 'regedit' into the Run dialog box, and press Enter.

Navigate to the Office 9.0 Branch

Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common\Internet. If the 'Internet' key does not exist, right-click 'Common', select New > Key, and name it 'Internet'.

Create ForceShellExecute Value

Right-click inside the Internet key folder, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name the new value 'ForceShellExecute'.

Modify the Value Data

Double-click 'ForceShellExecute', set its Value data to '1', click OK, and then restart your computer to apply the changes.

Configure the ForceShellExecute Registry Key

Crucial Registry Path Detail: The value must be placed under the Office 9.0 branch, regardless of the fact that you are using Word 2019 (which normally uses the 16.0 branch). Depending on your installation (e.g., 32-bit Office on 64-bit Windows), you might need to use the Wow6432Node registry path.

Solution 2

Identify Redirects Using a Network Trace

If modifying the registry does not resolve the issue, performing a network trace can help identify the exact HTTP redirects occurring when Word launches the URL.

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Open Hyperlinks Flawlessly with WPS Office

Avoid complex Windows Registry edits and legacy Office hyperlink errors. WPS Office provides a modern, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Word that processes URL redirects and web links smoothly right out of the box.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your PC.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer, open your .docx file, and click the hyperlinks to experience smooth, accurate browser redirection.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word 2019 open the wrong URL when a hyperlink is redirected?

Word 2019 often uses older Windows DLLs to process hyperlinks. When a server responds with an HTTP 302 redirect, these legacy components may misinterpret the routing, causing the wrong web address to open instead of the final destination.

Why must I use the Office 9.0 registry branch for Word 2019?

Although Word 2019 generally operates under the Office 16.0 registry branch, the specific legacy hyperlink-launching components still read configuration settings from the Office 9.0 branch. Applying the ForceShellExecute key to the 16.0 branch will not fix the redirect issue.

Will modifying the ForceShellExecute value affect other Office applications?

Yes. Because this registry key is placed in the 'Common' folder, it will apply the updated Windows Shell behavior to hyperlinks clicked in other Microsoft Office applications, such as Excel and PowerPoint, generally improving redirect handling across the entire suite.

What is an HTTP 302 response?

An HTTP 302 response is a standard way a web server tells a browser or application that the requested page has been temporarily moved to a different URL. It dictates that the client should redirect to the new provided link.

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