This question comes up a lot for various, an quite legitimate reasons. Internet Explorer, or "IE" is one of the biggest targets on the internet for virus writers, spyware writers and hackers. Naturally, once in a while due to their efforts, or for other reasons, IE breaks.
In which case a repair may be called for.
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Before we get into IE itself, though, most problems that look like they're caused by IE are not at all. As I mentioned, viruses and spyware may attack or use IE, but they don't necessarily damage it. The viruses and spyware are themselves the "damage". Poorly written add-ons can also manifest as problems within IE. In all these cases "fixing" IE won't help, you need to get at the root of the problem. My earlier article "IExplore.exe has generated an error." Now what? discusses many of the things to look at when you suspect, or experience, a problem in Internet Explorer.
So after all that, let's assume you've come to the conclusion that IE itself must be repaired.
We'll start with the first part of the question: How do you delete Internet Explorer? Answer: you don't. There are ways to disable parts of it, and even remove other parts of it, but the fact remains that Internet Explorer is a key part of Windows itself. It cannot be completely removed, and still have Windows work.
And in fact, that leads us to our first step in repairing Internet Explorer. Under Windows XP, run the System File Checker. This tool performs a check on all operating system components, including Internet Explorer, and repairs any that it finds are missing or damaged.
If that doesn't resolve the problem, or you're running a version of Windows that doesn't have the System File Checker, your next best option is a re-install. In fact, your best option in this case is to download and install the latest version of Internet Explorer from Microsoft's web site. This will repair your IE installation, or overwrite it with a fresh installation of the latest version.
Related:
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Ask Leo! - What is the System File Checker, and how do I run it?
The Internet Patrol - Download Internet Explorer - Why and Where
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Microsoft - Internet Explorer
Article C2366 - June 9, 2005
I have add-ons that are clogging up my Internet explorer. I am resentful I am not able to uninstall it or at least REMOVE ALL the add-ons completely. I can disable them and remove some but no matter what, some of the same ones try loading themselves when I start it, create new tabs, etc. The program is SLOW and bogs down the CPU. I've tried all the advice on here, and I'd like to start with a CLEAN slate. Please tell me this is possible? Can a revert reset this stuff?
Posted by: Kevin Ashman at October 21, 2008 11:07 PMI have a problem with internet explorer too. I had internet explorer 7.0 for first , but I installed another version of internet explorer 8.2 beta because I wanted to use a webpage that I couldn't use before. Now the problem with that is, I can't use internet explorer for a long time, because it close itself after a short time when I want to use it. What's more I cant't be able to use my files too, the other prolem is I have windows vista and I tried to install another version of internet explorer, but I have to delete 8.2 beta before I install the new one. Can you give me some piece of advise in this case?
Posted by: Anita Nagy at October 31, 2008 6:30 AMI have Windows Vista and I'M NOT sure what I should do.my Internet explorer 7 seem to be screwed up,and I don't see that I have "Outlook express" as well.
Posted by: Charles at January 16, 2009 6:41 AMI have Windows Vista and a H P processor.I don't see Internet Explorer. I get H P windows Internet explorer and MY A O L on the site that comes up when i press I E. is this the same ?
Posted by: Charles at January 19, 2009 6:28 AMi have 2 internet explorers one is 64bit and some programs wont run off of 64 bit explorer so i want to delete it and only have the other one how do i do that
Posted by: heather at February 5, 2009 9:03 AMI have IE issues. I cannot access IE or do i even have a drop down menu to go to my homepage. I have tried the system file checker and that did not work. I am able to access certian sites that are not thru IE but most everything I do is Internet Explorer. It is my notebook that is giving me the problem so I have to use my desk top to gather info on how to fix this. I need to know how to get my notebook working again. Any help or advice would be greatly appriciated:)
Posted by: Brenda at February 21, 2009 3:56 PMhen I installed internet ex 8. It messed up my puter and won!t let me do things like go into different sites. I want it off. Thank you
Posted by: Patricia Sanders Amarillo Texas at March 22, 2009 2:45 PMie6 is corrupt unable to delete when trying to over write with ie7. even ie7 is behaving weird simalar problem suggest me.
Posted by: naseer at April 2, 2009 10:34 PMDO NOT download IE8. Its full of flaws and has left me with a f*#& up laptop. I tried to uninstall using System Restore only to mess up things more. Now my Internet Browser won't load at all and all my System Restore's have been rendered useless. IE8 sucks big time and I'm hella pissed off that Microsoft would even pose this on ppl by adding it to their "Automatic Windows Update". I've tried for 4 days now to fix to no avail.
Posted by: leroy at May 4, 2009 1:09 AMI just added explorer7 and now my email won't work properly. I try to delete groups of email I don't want to read and something in the program (that wasn't there yesterday) decides it delete one email at a time. I want this particular program off my pc. please tell me how.
Posted by: Sandra Byers at October 28, 2009 5:41 AM