How do I get rid of Internet Explorer Permanently?

Question

How do I permanently remove Internet Explorer from Windows XP (without removing Windows entirely)? I've tried the add/remove software function and IE is no longer on the list but I still get viruses and popups in Internet Explorer. Any help would be nice.

Answer 1

Internet Explorer is too integrated into Windows. You cannot completely remove it.

Answer 2

Are you absolutely sure you want to remove Internet Explorer? Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program requires Internet Explorer (IE). Furthermore, there are several websites which require IE to work. For example, Trend Micro's online virus scanner requires IE. You may want to consider trying Internet Explorer 7 beta 3. It has a lot more features and has tighter security. If I can't dissuade you from keeping IE then you can use nLite. nLite is a free program which allows users to choose which components of Windows to remove. It can remove Outlook Express and IE. Caution, they are permanently removed. You can download it at: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4324.html

Answer 3

Ok this is what you do.

1. Go to your controll Panel
2. Go to Add/Remove Programs
3. (this is where you got lost) go to the tab on the left that say "Add/remove windows Components"
4. Then uncheck Internet Explorer.
5. then hit next.

Answer 4

Proposed suggestions specifically disable (turn off) execution of cyber web Explorer. Even the uninstall approach leaves in the back of a good sort of executable code (.dll information and so on...) that belong to MS IE, (AFAIK) yet as a results of fact that they are actually not likely to be pronounced as via commerce browser consisting of FireFox, Chrome, Opera,... they shouldn't worry you.

Answer 5

Probably because the viruses and popups are downloaded into a secret folder on your hard drive and deleting IE will have no affect on it.

Answer 6

IE uses ActiveX controls (see below for some settings). You need these controls to view some Websites AND TO DOWNLOAD WINDOWS UPDATES. Therefore, you should not delete IE--use another browser (see below for info on Firedox and Netscape version 8).

Microsoft reduced the danger posed by ActiveX controls in Service Pack 2 (SP2). If you still don’t have SP2, go to Windows Update at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com. After downloading SP2, go back to this site and have your computer scanned for further updates (some updates need SP2 installed first).

Even with SP2, it’s still up to you to close the security hole. That is why Internet Explorer has security settings for ActiveX.

If you continue to use Internet Explorer, check your ActiveX settings; you may need to reset them

To find ActiveX settings: In Internet Explorer, click Tools and then click Internet Options. Select the Security tab. Be sure the Internet zone is selected. Click the Custom Level button. In the window, scroll down to “ActiveX controls and plug-ins.” There are five settings here. Consider what (and why) your ActiveX controls should be set to:

1.“Download signed ActiveX controls”—set to “Prompt.” Signed ActiveX controls are from a known organization and are considered safe. But you still want to be asked/prompted about this since there may be some sites with signed ActiveX controls that you do not want anything to do with. This prompt will give you that option.

2.“Download unsigned ActiveX controls”—set to “Disable.” Do not ever bother me with these types of controls.

3.“Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe”—set to “Disable.”

4.“Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins”—set to “Enable.” Once I have accepted them, do not prompt me about them repeatedly.

5.“Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting”—set to “Enable.” Ditto—once I have accepted them, do not prompt me about them repeatedly.

You can also turn ActiveX off altogether. To do that: In Internet Explorer, click Tools and then click Internet Options. Select the Security tab. Again, be sure the Internet zone is selected. Click the Custom Level button. You will find seven settings for ActiveX controls—disable them all. You can set them back to Default Level if and when you need them by using the Default Settings button (which is located ext to the Custom Level button).

You will get a message once in a while asking if you want to download a program. It is probably an ActiveX control. If you know what it is and need it, click Yes. If it is from a company that you trust, you can check the box to “Always allow downloads” (to not ask you repeatedly). Otherwise, the answer should be no.

In the meantime, use common sense with Internet Explorer: stay away from questionable sites; don't download things you don’t understand; use a firewall and pay attention to its prompts; keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software updated and run them often. I run Ad-aware every time I disconnect from the Web; and I run my anti-virus at least once a week or when I am suspicious of something.

Because of the safety reputation of Internet Explorer, Firefox (www.mozilla.org), a free alternative Web browser, has captured a growing share of the browser market—because Firefox does not accept ActiveX controls.

You still need ActiveX controls; for instance, Windows Update requires ActiveX. You can not use Firefox to update Windows; you will have to switch to Internet Explorer. Some Web sites require ActiveX controls, too. Use Firefox for safety reasons but DO NOT delete Internet Explorer since you need ActiveX controls to download Windows Updates.

BUT you can install a plug-in, IEView, that allows you to switch to Internet Explorer when necessary (for updates or for certain Web sites).

To find IEView in Firefox, click Tools and then click Extensions. Click Get More Extensions. To use IEView, right-click the page you want to open in Internet Explorer and select View This Page in IE.

Firefox does have security concerns, but it is not part of Windows and is, therefore, safer than Internet Explorer. Since Internet Explorer is an integral part of Windows, consider only using Internet Explorer on Web sites where you have an expectation of safety.

Netscape version 8 uses the best qualities of Internet Explorer and Firefox. When Netscape determines that a site is safe, it uses the ActiveX component to access the site. Therefore, Netscape can access the Windows Update site. When Netscape encounters an unknown site, it will refuse to download ActiveX controls.

You can download the free Netscape browser at:
http://browser.netscape.com/nsb/download/default.jsp