Removing Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 7, 8, and 8.1

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If you’ve been trying this new version of Internet Explorer and are wondering how to remove it and back to the previous version. Here is what you can do.

Removing IE 11 on Windows 7 & 8

Because IE 11 is installed as an updated component in Windows, it’s listed as an update in Control Panel. Go to Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features → Installed Updates, highlight Internet Explorer 11 under Microsoft Windows section, middle way in the list, and click Uninstall button at the top.

Internet Explorer 11 in Control Panel 450x318 - Removing Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 7, 8, and 8.1

And reboot your computer, you are back to the version of Internet Explorer you have previously installed.

Removing IE 11 from Windows 8.1

It’s a little bit different in Windows 8.1 though. Since IE 11 is the native version that comes with 8.1, it’s listed as a feature rather than an update in Control Panel. Go to Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows Features on or off, which opens up Windows Features dialog box.

Windows Features Internet Explorer - Removing Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 7, 8, and 8.1

Un-check the option Internet Explorer 11, and hit OK. After rebooting your computer, you will have no Internet Explorer on your computer.

That’s correct. Since Windows 8.1 doesn’t have a version to fall back to, it will leave no Internet Explorer for you once the computer is rebooted. Not sure what other programs will be affected without it, but be cautious knowing what you want to do. To my own experience, if you don’t want to use IE, leaving it alone while defaulting to other browser might be the better approach than completely removing it.

4 COMMENTS

  1. I do use another browser however, IE constantly launches web pages that are blank however,
    They are interrupting everything I’m doing.
    Norton blocks these pages from loading on occasion and I have no idea how to correct this
    other than removing IE.
    IE can be reinstalled from Microsoft.com download center so what ever happens my next plan is to install Windows 10 as a plan B.

  2. I was looking for the way to remove Internet Explorer 11 from my Windows 8.1. Finally, I found a reliable solution. Thank you for this. It was a big help. This was a great article overall. The solutions are given step by step. It will be easy for any user to implement this on their own after following the article.

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