Windows 7 Troubleshooting Frequent Protected Mode Errors in Messenger and Internet Explorer

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Disable Add-ons: Add-ons or extensions in your browser might be causing this issue. Disable any recently added or suspicious extensions.
2. Clear Browser Cache: Clear the cache, cookies, and browsing history in Internet Explorer to ensure that corrupted data is not causing the problem.
3. Reset Internet Explorer Settings: Reset Internet Explorer settings to their default configuration. This can resolve issues caused by misconfigured settings.
4. Check Protected Mode: Verify that Protected Mode is still enabled in Internet Explorer settings as it helps prevent malicious software from accessing your system.
5. Run Antivirus Scan: Perform a full system scan using your antivirus software to check for any malware that might be interfering with your browsing activities.
6. Update Internet Explorer: Ensure that Internet Explorer is up-to-date with the latest patches and updates from Microsoft.
7. Check for System Updates: Ensure that your operating system and other software (like Adobe systems) are also up-to-date.

   Additional Tips:​

   • Test in Safe Mode: Try running the browser in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. This can help identify if a third-party application is causing the problem.

• Alternative Browsers: Consider using alternative browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to see if the issue occurs across different browsers. If these steps do not resolve the issue, please provide more details about your system configuration (operating system version, Internet Explorer version, etc.) for further assistance.