Hyperlinks in Outlook emails stopped working after installing today's Intel Extension Driver Update 24.60.3 update

Reset the Windows web-link associations first, because Outlook depends on the default handlers for HTTP, HTTPS, .htm, and .html, and there is no documented Microsoft issue specifically connecting Intel Extension Driver Update 24.60.3 to broken Outlook hyperlinks.

1. Repair the link associations

1. Fully close Outlook.
2. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
3. Select your preferred browser.
4. Choose Set default, then verify that the browser handles:
   • HTTP
   • HTTPS
   • .htm
   • .html
5. If they already appear correct, temporarily set Microsoft Edge as the default browser. This rewrites the relevant associations.
6. Reopen Outlook and test a normal https:// link.

Resetting those protocol and file associations is the most directly matched resolution for Outlook hyperlinks that suddenly stop opening on Windows 11.^1^

2. Apply the check for your Outlook version

New Outlook

Go to Outlook → Settings → Mail → Junk email → Security options. Clear:

Block attachments, pictures, and links from anyone not in my Safe senders and domains list

Select Save, restart Outlook, and test again. Links are normally enabled by default in new Outlook.^2^

If links remain completely unresponsive, reset the app:

1. Open Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Find Outlook (new) and select Advanced options.
3. Select Reset.
4. Reopen Outlook and add the account again if prompted.

Resetting removes the app’s local state, so account setup may need to be repeated.^3^

Classic Outlook

Check the message itself:

• If an InfoBar says external content or links are disabled, use its enable option.
• Confirm that the message is not being viewed as plain text.^2^

3. Determine whether this is actually driver-related

Test the same URL by copying it from Outlook and pasting it into the browser:

• Browser opens it, but Outlook does nothing: link association or Outlook state remains the likely area to repair.
• Only FQDN, IP-address, hostname, UNC, or file links fail: Outlook has separate security restrictions for those links. Do not weaken hyperlink warnings globally; add only a known company/network location to Internet Options → Security → Trusted sites if necessary.^4^
• All links started working after changing the default browser: no driver rollback is needed.

4. Roll back only if the association and Outlook checks fail

First open Settings → Windows Update → Update history and verify that Intel Extension Driver Update 24.60.3 was installed immediately before the failure.

If it updated the Intel display adapter and Roll Back Driver is available:

1. Search for and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click the Intel adapter and select Properties.
4. Open Driver → Roll Back Driver → Yes.
5. Restart Windows and retest Outlook.

Administrator privileges are required. If Roll Back Driver is unavailable, Windows has no previous package available through Device Manager; obtain the supported driver from the PC manufacturer rather than installing an arbitrary Intel package.^5^

An older Microsoft-documented Intel driver problem affected Office files opening in Protected View, not ordinary web hyperlinks. Its fix was Intel graphics driver 31.0.101.4887 or newer, or rollback to earlier than 31.0.101.4824; apply that version guidance only if the symptom is Office documents failing in Protected View.^6^

Avoid registry edits or disabling Windows Security unless a specific error message identifies a policy restriction.

References

1. hyperlinks not working in Desktop Outlook - Microsoft Q&A
2. Links are disabled in Outlook for Windows email messages | Microsoft Support
3. Preview links in Outlook (New) in Windows 11 not working - Microsoft Q&A
4. Outlook blocks opening FQDN and IP address hyperlinks after installing protections for Microsoft Outlook Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability released July 11, 2023 | Microsoft Support
5. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/display-graphics/troubleshoot-screen-flickering-in-windows#fix-your-display-driver)
6. Office file links and attachments in Outlook Desktop show to be in Protected View but do not open | Microsoft Support