Open a URL without redirecting

[Chauffo]

Hi,

I'm a long time reader but first time poster. I've spent a long time googling and am hoping someone can help me.

My problem:
I want to open a specific URL from Excel. The issue is that the URL needs to be opened exactly - I'm using a specific gmail URL string which won't work if it's redirected. Currently the correct page will open if manually copied into the browser, but not if accessed within Excel...

Things I've tried:
I've tried using a hyperlink but Excel forces a redirect, maybe because Excel is prefacing the URL with a byte order mark which is causing the browser to incorrectly assume the connection is insecure.

I've also tried some of the standard VBA:

ThisWorkbook.FollowHyperlink (URL)

Process.Start URL

and variants of

.Navigate URL

But they all suffer from the same.

Is there a way I can write over the current URL in a webpage using VBA? That way I could open a standard browser tab (e.g. "https://google.com") and then paste the specific URL I need into the address bar.

Failing that, is there any way I can force Excel to use the listed URL rather than redirecting WITHOUT having to add any internet registry values e.g. ForceShellExecute, e.g. by using the WinHttp COM object?

Any help very much ​appreciated!

 

[ZVI]

Try calling OpenIE(URL) instead of ThisWorkbook.FollowHyperlink(URL), like this:

Sub Test()
  Const URL = "http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-questions/984197-open-url-without-redirecting.html"
  OpenIE URL
End Sub
 
Sub OpenIE(URL)
  With CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application")
    .Visible = True
    .Navigate URL
  End With
End Sub

 

[Chauffo]

ZVI - that's done the job brilliantly. Thank you!