Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Will ComboFix Work Without Internet Explorer?

by Apr 21, 2014 7:56AM PDT

(Before I start, please do not tell me I shouldn't be using ComboFix).

The most annoying problem with ComboFix is it places Internet Explorer on my Desktop, makes IE the default browser, and makes IE the default download manager.

I HATE IE.

Will ComboFix work if I uninstall Internet Explorer?

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
Hold on...
by Apr 21, 2014 8:10AM PDT

Not something I'd use. What is your original problem?

Dafydd.

- Collapse -
Answer
You can't uninstall
by Apr 21, 2014 8:16AM PDT

Internet Explorer it's embedded into the Windows OS.

Digger

- Collapse -
Also, you might want to read this.
by Dafydd Apr 21, 2014 8:24AM PDT
- Collapse -
Answer
You can uninstall IE via Control Panel
by Apr 21, 2014 8:25AM PDT

The Programs and Features applet of the Control Panel can be used to uninstall IE. I don't use ComboFix, and I don't know anybody who uses it. Everybody I know uses MalwareBytes in combination with a virus checker. You can get free versions of both, but again I've never tried to see what works with IE uninstalled. It's trivially easy to delete the icon from your desktop, and it's not difficult to change your default browser. The one thing I KNOW of that requires IE is Windows update, which I consider important to my computers' security.

- Collapse -
Maybe depends on the OS
by itsdigger Apr 21, 2014 8:29AM PDT
- Collapse -
In Windows 7 try this
by wpgwpg Apr 21, 2014 9:30AM PDT

Click Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off. On my laptop the 3rd entry from the top allows you to turn IE off. When Janet Reno got after MS for not providing a way to do this, MS added it. In XP click Start -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Windows Components. On my Windows 8.1 Pro system, it's the same as Windows 7 & is the 5th item down.
You can argue whether that's uninstalling IE or just disabling it I suppose, but it was good enough for Ms. Reno and MS got out of being prosecuted for monopolistic practice in the US.

- Collapse -
Answer
Never Mind, I Have Removed Internet Explorer:
by Apr 21, 2014 9:36AM PDT

I seem to have removed Internet Explorer.

I went into Control Panel and clicked the usual Uninstall.
I also unchecked it in "Add Or Remove Windows Components."

I ran ComboFix again to see if a missing Internet Explorer would cause any problems.
It has not.

It has not reinstalled Internet Explorer, but it will continue to reset your Browser Preferences and Download Manager Preferences.

At least I was able to prevent ComboFix from placing Internet Explorer on the desktop! I searched everywhere, and there is no "iexplore" except for
c:\windows\help
c:\windows\help
c:\windows\erdnt\cache

I scanned with MalwareBytes and MSE and everything else. They did not remove the infection. ComboFix did.
But that is why I use it and also I am glad to be rid of Internet Explorer!!

- Collapse -
if it's truly uninstalled
by itsdigger Apr 21, 2014 9:54AM PDT

let us know how it's running. Anything broke? (Yet)

Digger

Back to Spyware, Viruses, & Security forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info