How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 7

Windows XP supports Internet Explorer versions 6, 7 and 8.

Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 shipped with Internet Explorer 6 installed as the default browser. Microsoft subsequently released updates that upgraded these operating systems to Internet Explorer 7. If you need Internet Explorer 6 for a website or application that doesn't support Internet Explorer 7, you can uninstall IE 7 from your XP computer and revert back to IE 6. You can't uninstall Internet Explorer 7 and go back to IE 6 on Windows Vista because IE 7 is native to the Vista operating system.

Instructions

1. Click "Start" and select "Run" in the Windows Start menu.

2. Type "appwiz.cpl" in the Run dialog and press "Enter" to open the Add/Remove Programs window.

3. Scroll down the list of installed applications and select "Windows Internet Explorer 7."

4. Click the "Remove" button.

Tips & Warnings

• Windows Internet Explorer 7 will not be listed in the available applications if you have Windows XP Service Pack 3 installed. Select "Windows XP Service Pack 3" in the list of applications and click "Remove" to uninstall Service Pack 3 first. After clicking "Finish" to restart your computer, you can uninstall Internet Explorer 7. Once Internet Explorer 7 is uninstalled, you can re-install Service Pack 3.

• Click the "About" menu in Internet Explorer and select "About Internet Explorer" to view the installed version of the software.

• If this process doesn't uninstall Internet Explorer 7, you can use the Spuninst.exe program. Click "Start" and then "Run." Type "%windir%\ie7\spuninst\spuninst.exe" (without quotes) into the Run dialog and press "Enter" to start the application.

References

• Microsoft: How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 7
• Microsoft: You Cannot Uninstall Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8 After You Install Windows XP Service Pack 3
• Microsoft: How to Remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 From Your Computer