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Question

Internet Explorer 8 removal & SP2-great deletion problem

Apr 14, 2014 2:15PM PDT

I am having great difficulty with the removal of my IE 8 browser.

A simple attempt to delete Internet Explorer folder in C drive doesn't do the trick.

I suspect that there is another way to do this, & that I am likely not doing it, or so. I do not know this.

Also, if I do this, will other files currently deposited in my download folder be affected, & hence removed along with the Internet Explorer folder?

Ostensibly, the files in the download folder _shouldn't_ be affected, correct?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
You can't
Apr 14, 2014 11:21PM PDT

You can't remove Internet Explorer from Windows. You can, depending on certain circumstances, revert back from say IE8 to IE7 or IE6, though why you would want to is an excellent question, but you can never completely get rid of IE from Windows. Not only are both of those versions riddled with major security issues that will never be fixed, they aren't able to properly render most websites these days.

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Ah!-Unable to remove IE8 from Windows
Apr 15, 2014 2:25AM PDT

I see.

I asked because of reading surrounding the current push (fear campaign?) to remove XP & avoid all form of 'nasties' now that official support has stopped.

Had successfully removed previously outdated AV software, & Microsoft Essentials had only lasted a
few days then it wouldn't work any more. MSE did manage to get rid of some real shockers. Then after the (up to date) Avast AV deep & boot scans, it informs me that getting rid of IE 8 is advisable.

This is my back up desktop machine, which I have planned to retire upon getting my up to date laptop to replace it. Working solidly to do this. Now have up to date firewall & AV for this desktop; not sure how much more I can do in the interim until this box is retired & replaced.

Barring removal of IE 8, any suggestions...?

Thanks

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Just because you can't remove it
Apr 15, 2014 10:01AM PDT

Just because you can't remove it doesn't mean you have to use it. Get Firefox or Chrome to help mitigate the risks of being on XP post-EOL. You do still want to have a migration path away from XP, but Firefox/Chrome can buy you maybe a year if you're careful.

I forget, but I think XP got IE9. If it did, be sure to upgrade to that even if you're not using it because other programs will; if XP was marooned at IE8, never mind.

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It IS Possible To Disable Internet Explorer
Apr 15, 2014 10:42AM PDT

As previously mentioned, you can actually uninstall/remove Internet Explorer from XP, but you can disable it. It become unusable unless "enabled" again. See the instructions below but be sure to have another web browser installed before disabling IE.. :

Click on Start-Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs. Once there, select "Set Program Access and Defaults" on the left side.. Choose "Custom" in the "Choose a configuration" section. Next, in the "Choose a default Web browser" area, UNCHECK "Enable access to this program" next to Internet Explorer. Click on OK, OK, to save your changes.

Hope this helps.

Grif