Maybe try this in IE8:

Tools > Advanced.

Under the Security subheading, check "Allow active content to run in files on My Computer."

Note: The security risk here is not inherent. Virtually every web developer will have that option checked. It only becomes a problem if you already have a virus.

Shut down Internet Explorer and then see what happens. Does that help?

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Hardware: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X/MSI MAG570 Tomahawk X570/Zotac Geforce GTX 1650 Super 4GB/32GB OLOy RAM

Software: Windows 10 Professional/Poser Pro 11/Photoshop/Postworkshop 3