How to Uninstall IE 7 & Reinstall IE 6
Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7) lets you not only access and navigate the Internet, but also access the Microsoft website for downloading Windows update files and security patches. The Internet browser is not without its problems, including closing unexpectedly and not starting properly. You can uninstall IE 7 and reinstall Internet Explorer 6 (IE 6). IE 6 automatically installs once IE 7 is removed from your computer. You don't need to download the IE 6 browser--it is already present on your computer system.
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Instructions
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Uninstalling IE 7 Using Add or Remove Programs
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1
Close any open programs and files. Click “Start” and “Run.”
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2
Enter “appwiz.cpl” in the “Open:” box. Click “OK.” The Add or Remove Programs utility will open.
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3
Scroll to and click on “Windows Internet Explorer 7.” Click “Remove.” Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the browser. Click “Restart” when prompted. IE 6 will automatically install on your system.
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4
Open Internet Explorer once your computer restarts.
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5
Click “Help” on the browser's main toolbar. Click “About Internet Explorer.” The version number of the program should read “6.” If it reads “7,” proceed to the next section.
Uninstalling IE 7 Using Spuninst.exe
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6
Close any open programs and files. Click “Start” and “My Computer.”
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7
Click “Tools” and “Folder Options.” Click on the “View” tab. Click on the circle next to the wording “Show hidden files and folders” under the heading “Hidden files and folders” to return system folders to a hidden state. Click “Apply” and “OK.”
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8
Click “Start” and “Run.” Enter “%windir%\\ie7\\spuninst\\spuninst.exe” in the “Open:” box. Click “OK.”
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9
Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the browser. Click “Restart” when prompted. IE 6 will automatically install on your system. <br /><br />Complete step 5 in the \"Uninstalling IE 7 Using Add or Remove Programs\" section of this article.
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10
Click “Start” and “My Computer.” Click “Tools” and “Folder Options.” Click on the “View” tab. Click on the circle next to the wording “Do not show hidden files and folders” under the heading “Hidden files and folders” to return system folders to a hidden state. <br /><br />Click “Apply” and “OK.”
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Tips & Warnings
You can also use a commercial uninstall application to remove Internet Explorer 7 from your computer system. There are also a variety of freeware and shareware uninstall applications for the Windows platform.
References
Resources
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