I can't Log in!

So, right after I click the green "PLAY" button, I get an error message about "Internet explorer cannot open the Internet site http://frontier.ffxiv.com/arr_win/news.html Operation aborted" and closes the game.

I had this computer since 2008 and never installed Internet Explorer because there is no need for it, Firefox and even Chrome do better and have all the options I need.

Please, don't make it a requirement to play FFXIV:ARR !!

There is nothing in that news site that I NEED to know, and besides, I can always check for news myself. I don't even have characters in the Japanese servers !! Why should I be forbidden to play my game ?? And why should I be FORCED to install 3rd party programs in my computer that has nothing to do with the game ??

Please, tell me a way to bypass this lock.

Same Here.. any help is appreciated.

Same issue.. for a good few hours now. I even buckled and tried to update IE and restart. Same error..

Edit: Reddit user helped me on my thread. I downloaded Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 and installed it and restarted, was able to log in.