How in the Tech

Rip Internet Explorer out of Windows 7

By Adam Myers ⋅ August 13, 2009 ⋅ Tags: Internet Explorer, Windows 7

While it’s technically not possible to rip Internet Explorer out of Windows, it’s been an integral part of Windows Explorer (amongst other components) for a decade, it is possible to disable the browser in Windows 7 so that it isn’t accessible in the traditional sense. If you use Firefox, Chrome, or another 3rd party browser it may not make sense to keep Internet Explorer around, cluttering your system and work flow. Microsoft, perhaps by fear of legal repercussions, provides an easy way to remove IE from your Windows 7 install – and it’s rather simple to boot!

1. From Control Panel select Uninstall a program. Down the left side panel choose Turn Windows features on or off.



2. The Windows Features dialog launches. Browse through the list of check boxes and un-check the box next to Internet Explorer 8. You may take the opportunity to peruse the rest of the software and decide if it’s worth purging.



3. Click through the dialog box that warns you that Windows may catch fire without IE. I promise you will be fine.



4. Back on the Windows Features screen finally click OK to initiate the disabling routine. You’ll be prompted to reboot upon completion.

As stated above, this won’t completely remove Internet Explorer but it will disable it’s functionality as a traditional browser which will go a long way in keeping your system secure – sometimes web links have a habit of opening IE even though it is not your default browser.

If, on down the road, you decide you made a mistake by removing IE8 simply repeat the steps above and check rather than un-check the box next to Internet Explorer. It’s all pretty painless.