Windows – IE8 Refuses to run Javascript from Local Hard Drive

internet explorerinternet-explorer-8javascriptwindows xp

I have a problem that just started at work recently and the network manager is certain he did not change anything with the group policy. Anyways, here is a detailed description of the problem.

My machine is Windows XP SP3, and I use IE8 to browse. We have McAffee anti-virus software that I am unable to configure. I use the following file to test…

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Javascript Test</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <script type="text/javascript">
      document.write("<h1>PASS</h1>");
    </script>
    <noscript>
      <h1>FAIL</h1>
    </noscript>
  </body>
</html>

When I open this file from the C: drive, it fails every time. If I execute it anywhere else (local/remote web server or on a mapped network drive), it works just fine. When I am simply browsing the Internet, Javascript on web sites works just fine. It is only failing on files running from my C: drive. Additionally, I have had a couple other programmers in the department try this file on their C: drive, and it works fine for them. So I don't believe it is a group policy thing.

I need to fix this because I do extensive testing from my C: drive, and I am accustomed to doing so. I don't want to get into the habit of moving files to a different drive just to test.

Things I have tried:

  • Enabled "Allow Active Content to Run Files on My Computer" in Options | Advanced | Security
  • Enabled "Allow Active Scripting" in Options | Security | Custom Level
  • Verified that "Script" was not checked as disabled in Developer Toolbar
  • Added localhost to Trusted Sites in Options
  • Disabled McAffee completely (momentarily, with help from network admin)
  • Used an older DOCTYPE in my test HTML page
  • Re-installed IE8 completely
  • Ran regsvr32 on the JScript.dll
  • Slammed keyboard

I am sure that there is a setting somewhere that will fix this problem, possibly in the registry. I would not be surprised if it was related to the developer toolbar. At this point I do not know where else to look.

Can anyone help me resolve this problem?

EDIT: Regardless of the bounty, this issue is still ongoing.

Best Answer

Open registry key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\n

Where n is the zone index, where 0 means My Computer. This zone is not available in Internet Options. Set Value 1400 to 0 to enable Javascript.

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