Let’s not beat around the bush here, Internet Explorer is garbage. It has been the thorn in the side for every web developer that has walked the Earth. The Internet would be a much better place without it. Now that I have that out of the way, I’ll get down to showing you how to remove Internet Explorer of any version on an platform.
Internet Explorer 6
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
- Start->Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs
- Cick Add/Remove Windows Components
- Locate Internet Explorer and uncheck it
- Click Next and continue to follow the prompts
Note: Although this will remove all the links to Internet Explorer on your system it will not actually delete IE completely, as it is integrated with the Windows Shell it will still exist on your computer and be used for browsing files.
Chrome Frame
Our friends at Google have offered us another solution for those who cannot uninstall Internet Explorer 6. If you are not an Administrator on your system and cannot remove IE or install an alternate browser then Chrome Frame is the solution you’re looking for. After installing the plugin your browser will be able to render websites using Chrome’s engine, meaning your old and dusty copy of IE6 will be able to run HTML5 and not mangle every other site out there. How do you get this plugin? Just grab it at Google Code.
Internet Explorer 7
Windows XP and Windows Server 2000/2003
- Start->Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs
- Locate Internet Explorer 7 and click Remove
Note: Uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 will result in Internet Explorer 6 being restored
Windows Vista
- Start->Control Panel->Programs and Features
- Click View Installed Updates
- Locate Internet Explorer 7 and click Uninstall
Note: If the above method does not work for you try following these steps instead:
- Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\ie7\spuninst\
- Run spuninst.exe
Internet Explorer 8
Windows Vista
- Start->Control Panel->Programs and Features
- Click View Installed Updates
- Locate Internet Explorer 8 and click Uninstall
- Cick OK
- Click Yes when prompted
Windows 7
- Start->Control Panel->Programs and Features
- Click Turn Windows Features On or Off
- Locate Internet Explorer 8 and uncheck it
- Cick OK
- Click Yes when prompted
Note: If the above method does not work for you try following these steps instead:
- Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\ie8\spuninst\
- Run spuninst.exe
Stopping Automatic Updates from Installing Internet Explorer 7/8
- Open Internet Explorer
- Click Tools then Windows Update
- Select Custom
- Uncheck the box beside Windows Internet Explorer 7/8 for Windows XP
- Check the box beside “Don’t show this update again”
Windows will no longer try to install the newer Internet Explorer versions when doing its automatic updates.
