>I would like to avoid having a browser window hanging around, hence my quest for a runnable solution. The Navigate method in InternetExplorer object offers a parameter to specify a named window, but I don't want to invoke no other than the default browser, even if the solution only works with a specific one.
>
>But your idea and Yousfi's lead me to think on a proxy URL that is opened instead of the target URL, which would give an environment where some manipulation could be possible. I'll have a look at it and report back.

I was coming to the same place through a different street: how about launching a browser invisibly, then having it load a page which has your url with the target="_blank" (or named) from the .load() (of some minimal javascript code on that little page), close the current window and then go visible?

I know it sounds tricky with unknown browser, or even with just IE, but maybe that would give you an idea.