Windows 10 comes with a brand new and constantly updated web browser, Microsoft Edge, and it replaces the old Internet Explorer to bring users new features and functions. As mentioned, there’s no reason to want to keep Internet Explorer. This tutorial will show you how to remove or uninstall Internet Explorer from Windows 10 and some other popular operating systems; let’s find out.
Uninstalling Internet Explorer may not be as easy as you think, you cannot remove it in Apps & features immediately, but you can disable some Windows features, including Internet Explorer using Control Panel.
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Why do you want to uninstall Internet Explorer?
There are many reasons why the majority of users want to remove Internet Explorer from their Windows computers. Alternative web browsers sometimes work faster, provide better security and support many advanced features. However, there is no safe method to remove Internet Explorer from the Windows operating system completely.
Internet Explorer is not just a browser, but it also acts as a basic technology for some Windows internal processes, including updating operating systems and applications, basic Windows functions, etc.
There are methods introduced on some websites that can completely uninstall Internet Explorer and provide a workaround for the problems that remove this browser causes, but perhaps these did no longer work.
How to uninstall Internet Explorer completely
Try using another popular web browser instead, such as Chrome or Firefox, then follow the instructions below to disable Internet Explorer in your version of Windows. Since Windows Update requires Internet Explorer to be used, manual updates are no longer possible. The automatic update feature, if enabled, will be usable unaffected.
Uninstall Internet Explorer in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista
Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 and Windows Vista can disable Internet Explorer by disabling it in Control Center.
Important: These instructions will uninstall Internet Explorer, not delete it. Your Windows PC will continue to use Internet Explorer for local processes.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu.
Step 2: Search and open the “Control Panel” in the first result.
Step 3: In Control Panel, select View by: Small icons and select Programs and Features.
Step 4: In the Programs and Features window, select “Turn Windows features on or off” in the left menu.
Step 5: In the Windows Features window, turn off the checkmark in the Internet Explorer 11 box.
Step 6: In the warning dialog box, confirm that you want to uninstall Internet Explorer.
Step 7: When you are prompted to restart your computer for the changes to take effect, select Restart now.
Step 8: Once your computer has restarted, Internet Explorer will be turned off.
Remove Internet Explorer in Windows XP
One way to remove Internet Explorer in Windows XP is to use the Set Program Access and Defaults utility, which is available as part of all Windows XP installations with at least the SP2 service pack installed.
Step 1: Navigate to Control Panel. Go to Start, click Control Panel.
Step 2: In Control Panel, click Add or Remove Programs.
Note: In Microsoft Windows XP, you may not see the Add or Remove Programs icon depending on how the operating system is set up. To find this icon, click Switch to Classic View.
Step 3: In the Add or Remove Programs window, select Set Program Access and Defaults.
Step 4: In the Choose a configuration section, choose Custom.
Step 5: In the Choose a default Web browser section, uncheck the checkbox Enable access to this program.
Step 6: Click OK. Windows XP applies these changes and the Add or Remove Programs window is closed automatically.
And those are the different ways that you can uninstall Internet Explorer in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista & XP. Please leave a message below for us if you encounter any difficulties during the process.
