Uninstalling IE

[skyl3r]

I now use FireFox to get away from all the crap IE is flooded with. Now, How can I uninstall IE? Its not in add/remove programs ... and I can delete the folder in programfiles.
All help will be appreciated.

[The Hunter]

To the best of my knowledge its not possible to remove it, and furthermore you need IE to download updates from microsoft. Also some web site only display properly using IE.

[WackoTacko]

IE is integrated into windows, so if u uninstall it you will screw up your OS
that, and all that hunter said

[skyl3r]

Ok thx. I remember in Windows 95 and 98 it was possible ( I think )
Good Day

[lion7718]

It won't show up in Add/Remove till you upgrade above IE6 for XP...which hasn't happened yet...
but like the other said, you need it for ALL Windows Updates.

[muffenme]

:fire

You need IE to use the Windows Update and that the only reason I keep IE for. I know going by the Windows Update about jpeg bug that the 2 system I check didn't need the update which they both run Windows 98SE.

:hole

[grab_grab_the_haddock]

If you are running windows XP you can't really uninstall IE. Although you can delete the registry entries, shortcuts and program files if it bothers you that much.

But as the hunter said, you won't be able to access windows update without IE, there are also a number of other sites, especially those with interactive content, which just won't work with anything other than IE.

If you are using firefox your best bet is to keep IE and use the "open in IE" (or whatever it's called) extension for firefox which you can use to open in IE those few pages which firefox won't display correctly.

[The Hunter]

The proper term for IE is Internet Exploder.

[crackerjacker]

The proper term for IE is Internet Exploder.
yup that is true
ie is just the short cut used for internet explorer as you already stipulated. :O)
nuff said

[Christoph]

IE = Exlorer
you can't delet IE,as it is the Windows Explorer.Internet Explorer is not much more that Windows Explorer with a new skin.you cna trie that by tipping a internet adress in your windows explorer.

[Malakai1911]

IE and Explorer.exe are in no way intertwined.

You can safely remove IE, but will run into problems running any software that explicitly relies on IE (no software I use needs IE, so I'm fine. Encarta and a few other M$ software packages may need IE though).

http://nuhi.msfn.org/ (nLite Removes IE and other components on the install disc, so when you install windows it will be fresh and clean.)
http://www.litepc.com/ (Removes IE and other components after install, costs money)
http://home.earthlink.net/~vorck (Similar to nLite, but more involved)

[TheJackal]

you are all stupid. yes you can uninstall IE safely.

In XP just goto Add/Remove Programs. Look for the button that says "add/remove windows componets"
Click, find IE, uncheck the box, and windows does the rest!
So simple, Im surpised any of you didn't know that
LOL
PEACE!

[The Hunter]

http://www.mcse.ms/message1002459.html

http://www.ozzu.com/ftopic28822.html

http://www.seochat.com/showblog/402/Browser-Domination

[FrozenShadow23]

TheJackal is right, as much as I hate him, it is just that easy.

I really don't suggest you get rid of it though, just don't use it. Occasionally, you come across a program that requires it's usage. I mean, you can always find another program, but it's nice to have it around sometimes.

<mocking>PEACE!</mocking>

[The Hunter]

It can be done, but many sites due to improper settings do need it, and to get updates it is needed. Now before i get my ass kicked, many people do need the updates, as they are not able to figure out what to block with their firewall themselves. These are very many people, and it is our duty to help them. It is not, and i repeat not our duty to tell them to do something that will get them in trouble. something may be easy to do, but what is messed up by a novice may result in someone asking how to do a format. Again folks please understand Im far from being a tech guhru, but more of a member trying to protect fellow members from making mistakes.

[Lehk]

TheJackal is right, as much as I hate him, it is just that easy.

I really don't suggest you get rid of it though, just don't use it. Occasionally, you come across a program that requires it's usage. I mean, you can always find another program, but it's nice to have it around sometimes.

<mocking>PEACE!</mocking>

no, the jackass was wrong, all that procedure does is remove the link from the desktop, you can still get IE by either start>run>iexplore.exe or typing a web address into a folder address bar.

[rebirth]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAAHAAHHAAAAAA AAAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAAHAHA HAHA HAHAH AH AHAHA HAHA Hahah aaha...aaah

That was good for a laff...thanks man.

Speaking of a MS monopoly on their OS...

HAHAHA

[MushroomheadXIII]

Yeh i think it's in add/remove windows components in uninstall programs in control panel. But don't uninstall it, it's crap but u need it for updats.

[rebirth]

You cannot uninstall IE in Windows, in any of the iterations. For example. "Uninstall" it from the Control Panel. Then go into Windows Explorer/My Computer. Type in a web address. What happens? IT WORKS! OMG! and it's IE! OMG!

duh

Windows Explorer is essential to the functioning of Windows 9x-Longhorn RCx. The end.

[Christoph]

Idiots! IE=Explorer.exe

[Mels_Smileys45]

In older versions of windows you might as well uninstall IE, if you can properly, becuase it won't be updated anymore unless you fork over a credit card.

[moneoa]

you are all stupid. yes you can uninstall IE safely.

In XP just goto Add/Remove Programs. Look for the button that says "add/remove windows componets"
Click, find IE, uncheck the box, and windows does the rest!
So simple, Im surpised any of you didn't know that
LOL
PEACE!
Ignoramus, IE is integral to Win Xp functionality, obviously you have missed all the lawsuits trying to get MS to take it out of the source code.
What you recommend only takes away all the shortcuts and prog access.
Do what you did and go to Win update, big surprise IE opens up to win update.
You sure like to fire from the hip without knowing what the hell you are talking about.


no, the jackass was wrong, all that procedure does is remove the link from the desktop, you can still get IE by either start>run>iexplore.exe or typing a web address into a folder address bar.
Good to see someone knows that guy is full of it

[Christoph]

as I said,you will never be abeld to delet IE!what you uninstall is the icon and some reg entrys

[FrozenShadow23]

Ah, thank you for the clairification Lehk.

[crackerjacker]

you are all stupid. yes you can uninstall IE safely.

In XP just goto Add/Remove Programs. Look for the button that says "add/remove windows componets"
Click, find IE, uncheck the box, and windows does the rest!
So simple, Im surpised any of you didn't know that
LOL
PEACE!


Of course you can remove internet explorer from your harddrive there are some programs that do actually help remove internet explorer. I remember this one program that I used and it did remove most of internet exploreres settings, but it left other stuff entact that was neccesary for windows. It made windows run faster.

Um I will ignore that comment about everyone being stupid. In fact I am giving you a doggie bisquit.
peace

[begoodbebad]

You can fully uninstall IE6 by using an application called XPLite. This application disables Windows File Protection (intended to stop users deleting vital system files etc) and allows you to strip XP/Win2000 down to bare bones if you so wish. You can build an OS with no networking components at all. You can remove Outlook Express, WMP, pretty much anything you don't want. But you had better have some idea of what you are doing and why. It's best used after making a clean install, fully updated and patched and before installing all your applications. So if you want Windows without IE you can have it. But like Hunter says one day you may find you need it....on the other hand if you have XP SP2 with your own AV, firewall, Opera or Firefox, Thunderbird for your mail, Open Office for your work....what the hell do you need MS security patches for anyway?

[FrozenShadow23]

Hey, thanks begoodbebad, I'll have to try that one out.

[Morgwen]

you are all stupid. yes you can uninstall IE safely.

Perhaps with XP, with w2k and win98 its not so easy. Of course you can unistall IE also with w2k and win98 but MANY websites and experts say that you shouldn´t do it, because its risky...

But of course you are right we are all stupid only you know the truth. :blah:

Morgwen

[Vampmon]

There is no need to uninstall IE, and even if you did want to, you wouldn't be able to, Windows cant run without IE, and as Hunter said, you need IE to download updates and many sites are optimized to run in IE.

[Christoph]

XPlite..yea please delt Ie with XP lite and install it..please report your experience!!!!*lol

[Mels_Smileys45]

I've been staring at the boot screen for an hour now, I'll let you know when it comes up.

[Malakai1911]

you are all stupid. yes you can uninstall IE safely.

In XP just goto Add/Remove Programs. Look for the button that says "add/remove windows componets"
Click, find IE, uncheck the box, and windows does the rest!
So simple, Im surpised any of you didn't know that
LOL
PEACE!

That does not remove internet explorer.

Here is a fun experiment, use "Add/Remove Programs" to remove Internet Explorer. Now click the "start" button, and click "run". A box will pop up, type in "iexplore" amd hit "OK". Notice how the uninstalled IE, magically reappeared?

Because Add/Remove does not uninstall it. You must use third party tools (I've listed three above.... XPlite works after install, nLite works before install (on the CD Image), and Vorck uses a manual method of removing before install (on the CD Image)).


Perhaps with XP, with w2k and win98 its not so easy. Of course you can unistall IE also with w2k and win98 but MANY websites and experts say that you shouldn´t do it, because its risky...

But of course you are right we are all stupid only you know the truth. :blah:

Many websites say it's risky because many people are idiots.

nLite works for Windows 2000, XP, and 2003, and works by removing IE (and other components that you deem nessicary for removal, extra wallpapers and screensavers, MS Paint, NetBIOS, pretty much whatever you want) at install-time.

Here are the apps I linked to back on PAGE 1 again:

nLite - http://nuhi.msfn.org/
XPlite - http://www.litepc.com/

:fire


Idiots! IE=Explorer.exe

Idiot (adj., singular), IE = iexplore.exe

Explorer.exe is NOT THE SAME. If your firewall has outbound filtering, you will notice that explorer and iexplore have TWO SEPERATE rulesets to access the internet. It is suggested you block explorer.exe from gaining internet access.


There is no need to uninstall IE, and even if you did want to, you wouldn't be able to, Windows cant run without IE, and as Hunter said, you need IE to download updates and many sites are optimized to run in IE.

You are another idiot. Windows CAN run without IE. You DONT need IE to download updates. And only SHITTY websites are optimized to run IE.

Your Windows Update options: You can manually download patches from MS Technet! OR use a Third-party automatic update utility, such as BigFix.

[jeffthejiff]

xplite can get rid of the IE core from windows xp/2000, but it is a bad idea. a LOT of programs use the IE core.. Kazaa and other like filesharing programs for a start. i always keep IE on my computer for stability (cue the LOL WINDOWS ISNT STABLE!!!1 jokes) as well as compatibility.

the dude who said ie=explorer.exe is right...welll, actually its explorer.exe=IE. quite a few functions in windows explorer use the mshtml core, i believe windows XP uses the mshtml image rendering engine to render thumbnails etc?

[Vampmon]

You are another idiot. Windows CAN run without IE. You DONT need IE to download updates. And only SHITTY websites are optimized to run IE.

Your Windows Update options: You can manually download patches from MS Technet! OR use a Third-party automatic update utility, such as BigFix.

Why the hell would you want to go through all them problems anyway?

[Malakai1911]

- Windows Explorer is NOT Internet Explorer. They are two, seperate processes and have two different (albeit similar) functions. MS HTML Rendering engine is contained within the "mshtml.dll" file. Removing that, and you remove the rendering capabilities of windows (And remove more security holes).

If you remove IE and Outlook Express, you dont need to patch as much. Bam, theres at least two patches you don't need to download and install every month. Alot of programs dont use IE, and I can name the list of apps I run, without IE, with no issues so far.

eMule Plus, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, Agnitum Outpost Firewall, NOD32 Anti-Virus, Nero Burning Rom 6, DVD Shrink, Trillian Pro 2.013, Sonic Cineplayer, Winamp 5.05. Also Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware SE, and Spyware Blaster.

Plenty of good apps, no problems yet.

This is FUD from people who have never had Windows without IE, and are relying on pure speculation and opinion. Well, you might have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but that doesn't make you a Windows expert.

[jeffthejiff]

i have had windows without IE, i run windows 98lite fine, but i have tried windows 2000 without it and i just seemed to have problems. meh, i'll try it again now though just to see.
does it actually get rid of mshtml completely or just get rid of iexplore.exe? because if it doesnt get rid of mshtml, theres some patches you'd still need to install to fix bugs such as the latest jpeg thingy...

[Malakai1911]

does it actually get rid of mshtml completely or just get rid of iexplore.exe? because if it doesnt get rid of mshtml, theres some patches you'd still need to install to fix bugs such as the latest jpeg thingy...

With nLite, just select "Internet Explorer" and "Internet Explorer Core Files" and it will remove IE completely, and also the MSHTML rendering engine.

nLite 0.99 has problems right now, I'd use 0.98.8 for 2K/XP/2003, and 0.99 for (only) XP if you were adventerous. There are other things you can remove also, it works well.

I use it mainly for XP SP2 Corporate.

[jeffthejiff]

i used nLite before with windows 2000, but when i was installing windows with it, it came up with an "invalid installation catalog" error or something like that.
i think it may have been because i was using it as well as XPcreate though..

[skyl3r]

Cool, this turned into a huge thread. Very active forums.

[FDV]

If the latest beta of nLite isn't for Win2k (and right now it isn't but support WILL return in the future) you can slim down Win2k with files from here:
http://www.vorck.com/remove-ie.html
Select the "let's do this" and then, if you're lazy, select "Basic Method."

There are so many contrarians in this thread I wouldn't know where to start...
If everyone would read Malakai1911's posts VERY CAREFULLY, everyone here would have done this already and be happy IE-free users. The ONLY people who say that removing IE will cause instability, cause your piano to go out of tune, and cause your cat to be raped are people who HAVE NOT TRIED nLite or other software to remove IE.

For software to replace Windows Update and Add/Remove programs and a new browser and a newe-mail client etc etc etc etc etc, see:
http://www.vorck.com/2ksp4.html#4

Give nLite a try, join the nLite forum at:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=89
and help Nuhi do his beta testing!

FDV

[knowitall]

I have to agree with those who think it's best to just leave it alone. Just because it's on your machine doesn't mean you have to use it. It doesn't seem worth the trouble or risk of not being able to download updates. I use Firefox exclusively but have not even thought about removing IE. In fact, I don't even think about IE at all except when someone posts questions about it. Also, just for the record, IE is NOT the same as explorer.exe:


"Explorer.exe

(Microsoft)


In a confusing way this refers to the Windows end-user interface : the desktop, the Task Bar, the Start Menu, etc.... It is not to be confused with Windows Explorer which uses the same program file !!

Recommendation :
Vital !! Leave untouched."

The above is from "answers that work.com", which is a really nice site that tells all about the processes you see running on your comp when you open task manager. It tells which you can safely turn off and which you should leave alone. From the home page click "task list" and then the first letter of the process name. It really helps knowing what is what.

[The Hunter]

IMHO, if you are not sure of what you are doing, or dont want to risk Fing things up, take the safe way out. If you really enjoy messing around, and dont care if you make a fuck up, now and then then by all means go for it. I also can not tell the average user to try and uninstall IE, as many here are worried about losing the files they have on their pc.Although I have preached for a long time that backups are needed, and that anything on a windows machine IE your songs, and music needs to be burned off on a regular basis. If you truly wish to mess with this, I would recommend installing your OS on a seperate drive, and leave your main one alone, so you can always go back to your old drive, and os.

[notbob]

screwing up is how you learn

get litexp (a program) and uninstall (for real, not like the post sp1 "uninstaller" that just hides components in windows) IE, OE, WMP, anything you want safely

you can still download patches (albeit the hard way) with firefox from the security bulletins that contain the patch info (or via automatic updates)

if you are using system restore, you can put the stuff back later if you screw it up (with litexp)

individual mileage may vary, you are responsible for all screwups

[The Hunter]

That is exactly what I want people to understand, that they are responsable for what they do. Also that is exactly why i cant tell others to do it, It is how you learn, but I cant be responsable for telling them to do it, just incase they make screwups.

[notbob]

as a sidenote, you can never "truly" remove IE

explorer.exe still has much of IE's functionality, even without internet exlorer, as does outlook--don't believe me? go to "my computer" and type google.com in the address bar
where it says "my computer"

with or without IE (provided you are connected to the internet) you will go to google.com