How to Repair Internet Explorer for Vista
In previous versions of Windows, repairing fatal problems with Internet Explorer meant reinstalling the entire browser. The browser version that ships with Vista--and all of the newer versions--allows the browser to be repaired without a full reinstall.
Please note that resetting Internet Explorer will return it to factory defaults. All customized settings, add-ons and bookmarks will be lost. It is relatively easy to run this repair process, and computer users of any skill level can do it.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Open Internet Explorer and click "Tools" at the top of the screen. Depending on your settings, the bar that contains this option may be hidden. If so, press the "Alt" key on the keyboard once to bring it up. From the "Tools" menu, click "Internet Options."
-
2
Click on the "Advanced" tab located at the top of the Internet Options window. Towards the bottom of the screen, under "Reset Internet Explorer settings," there will be a button labeled "Reset." Click the button once, and a reset window will appear, displaying a list of things that will be changed and settings that will be lost. Read through each of the items to make sure nothing valuable will be deleted.
-
-
3
Select "Reset" to restore your browser to factory defaults. A progress window will appear, and it may take up to several minutes for the tool to finish running. Once it is done, Internet Explorer will close, and you will have to manually open it. Once you do so, you will be greeted with the default homepage, and the entire browser will be repaired.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If the problem with the browser is serious enough to prevent it from opening, the reset tool can be located from within the Control Panel, under "Internet Options."
All of your favorites and offline data will be permanently deleted.
