Hi CB,
1. run IE in "No Add-Ons" mode
2. disable third-party extensions in Internet Options/Advanced
3. boot Windows in safe mode
If any or a combination of the above solves your problem there is third-party
software responsible for your problem. Note: you have to surf in each step
long enough to identify if the problem persists or not and keep that
functionality switched off when you change to the next step. Just booting
into safe mode and then back to normal won't achieve anything.
If 1.: use Add-Ons-Manager and disable all non-Microsoft add-ons and*
*******reenable them step-by-step until your problem comes back
If 2.: that's likely a toolbar or some other installable add-on
If 3.: that's likely a third-party
software run from startup that can be causing this issue,
What I recommend is going to run (hold down the windows key + the R key) and typing in msconfig. GO to starup and deselect everything. Restart and your computer should boot clean, and hopefully the application should not interfere. This def sounds like the application that you were using is the source of the problem.
good luck,
Al