How Do You Downgrade to Internet Explorer 7?

At times, upgrading to a newer version of Internet Explorer can cause system instability or compatibility issues. If you have found that Internet Explorer 8 is causing your computer to be unstable, it can be uninstalled from Windows XP and Windows Vista. Note that Internet Explorer 7 and 8 have better security features than Internet Explorer 6. Internet Explorer 7 comes pre-installed with Windows Vista while Internet Explorer 8 comes pre-installed with Windows 7.<br /><br />Prior to uninstalling Internet Explorer 8, go to the Microsoft website and download Internet Explorer 7, as well as a third-party browser like Firefox or Opera. This ensures that if something goes wrong in downgrading to Internet Explorer 7, you have a backup browser.

Instructions

Windows XP

1. Close all programs.

2. Click on the \"Start\" menu, then go to \"Settings.\" Under \"Control Panel,\" click \"Add/Remove Programs.\"

3. Click on \"Internet Explorer 8\" and choose \"Remove.\"

4. Follow the instructions to uninstall the program.

5. Restart your computer.

6. After restarting, open \"Internet Explorer.\"

7. Click on \"Help\" in the toolbar, then go to \"About Internet Explorer.\"

8. If Internet Explorer 6 or 7 appears, you are finished with this step.

9. If Internet Explorer 8 still appears, select and copy the following command: %windir%\\ie8\\spuninst\\spuninst.exe

10. Click on \"Start,\" then \"Run.\"

11. Type \"cmd.exe\" and press \"Enter\" to open the Command Prompt.

12. Right-click inside the prompt and \"Paste\" the above command.

13. Press \"Enter.\"

14. Follow the instructions to uninstall the program.

15. Restart your computer.

Windows 7

1. Close all programs.

2. Click on \"Start,\" then \"Settings.\" Go to \"Control Panel\" and click \"Uninstall Program.\"

3. Click on \"Turn Windows Features On or Off.\"

4. Uncheck \"Internet Explorer 8,\" then click \"Yes.\"

5. Follow the directions given during uninstallation.

6. Restart the computer.

Windows Vista

1. Close all programs.

2. Click on the \"Start\" menu, then \"Control Panel.\" Go to \"Programs\" and then \"Uninstall a Program.\"

3. Click on \"View Installed Updates.\"

4. Double-click on \"Internet Explorer 8.\" In the \"Uninstall an Update\" box, click \"Yes.\"

5. If prompted for a password, enter the password or click \"Continue.\"

6. Follow the instructions to uninstall the program.

7. Restart the computer.

8. After restarting, open \"Internet Explorer.\"

9. Click on \"Help\" in the toolbar, then \"About Internet Explorer.\"

10. If Internet Explorer 6 or 7 appears, you are finished with this step.

11. If Internet Explorer 8 still appears, select and copy the following command: <br /><br />FORFILES /P %WINDIR%\\servicing\\Packages /M Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer-8*.mum /c \"cmd /c echo Uninstalling package @fname && start /w pkgmgr /up:@fname /norestart\"

12. Click on \"Start.\"

13. Type \"cmd.exe\" in the \"Search\" box.

14. Right-click \"cmd.exe\" and click \"Run as Administrator.\"

15. Press \"Enter.\"

16. Follow the instructions to uninstall.

17. Restart the computer.

18. If prompted for a password, enter the password or click \"Continue.\"

19. Press \"Enter.\"

20. Follow the uninstall instructions.

21. Restart the computer.

Installing Internet Explorer 7

1. Locate and click the downloaded file.

2. Follow the installation instructions.

3. Restart the computer.

Tips & Warnings

• If you upgraded to Internet Explorer 8 from Internet Explorer 7, uninstalling Internet Explorer 8 may restore Internet Explorer 7.

• If you installed Internet Explorer 8 before updating to Windows XP Service Pack 3, you cannot uninstall Internet Explorer 8 without first uninstalling Service Pack 3.

References

• Microsoft.com: Uninstalling Internet Explorer 8
• Microsoft.com: Internet Explorer 7

Resources

• Mozilla.com: Firefox 3.6
• Opera.com: Opera Browser 10