Uninstalling IE for Clean Re-Install

Hello MajorGeeks! :wave

I have Internet Explorer version 6 installed. I used it very frequently up until early 2007, when I gradually started switching over and then ultimately relying exclusively on Mozilla Firefox. Because of this, I haven't really bothered with IE. However, it is my understanding that it is necessary for IE to be installed and work properly as there are certain parts of the Windows OS that rely on it.

Recently I have noticed that on the very few occasions I tried to use IE 6, it frequently crashed and took very long to load all the graphics on the page. So about a week ago, I decided to upgrade to Internet Explorer version 8. The upgrade procedure seemed to go well, but upon using IE 8, I experienced the same crashes I did with IE 6, although the graphics loaded much better. Nonetheless, with every session ending in a crash, I felt it was best to uninstall the whole thing and do a clean install of IE 8.

I was able to successfully uninstall IE 8, but IE 6 remains. I checked Add/Remove Programs and do not see an option to remove Internet Explorer.

I suspect that the Internet Explorer browser is corrupted, which might explain why simply upgrading the version would not fix some core problems in the application. I would like to completely uninstall it, and do a clean install of IE 8 if this is possible.

Please assist me with how best to proceed with this operation. Thank you so much!

 

As you yourself have already noted, Internet Explorer is an important part in the smooth operation of Windows. It is an integral part of it. Windows will be crippled without it.
There are other things that can cause IE to crash.
What type of machine are you running?
What amount of RAM?
Last good defrag?

 

Hello Tom K :wave As hrlow2 has already stated, IE is important. By your own quote:

Because there isn't one. You cannot remove IE . Even if you don't use it, your computer does.

You may also be lagging in some crucial updates too. When was the last time you visited Windows Update? Do you have AU turned on? It sounds to me, like your computer is just way behind in some very crucial updates.
If you have SP2, you really should upgrade to SP3. That is only one update, and then there will be MANY more to follow. Yes, they are all needed. You might want to try the series of updates, and also any add-ons, like Java, etc.

 

Hello hrlow2 and TeeCee! :wave

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction! I always get spot on advice on this forum, and I know I got some tonight.

This is absolutely correct, TeeCee. The last update I did was the upgrade to SP2 within the past few months. In fact, I do have AU turned on and have indeed got the balloon pop-up indicating the updates are available, but I haven't downloaded or installed them yet.

Regarding this: I ultimately want to and have to upgrade the OS to XP SP3. But can I just download/install the crucial updates, and do the OS upgrade later? Will this improve the system performance (which has been notably sluggish lately) and the present IE 6 browser operation?

To answer the questions from hrlow2: This is a Desktop running 1GB RAM, and the last Defragment was performed about two months ago.

 

It is essential that you download ALL of the latest updates for your OS, many of these are related to security issues and without them your system is vulnerable to attacks.

Regarding IE 8, I always use the custom install option and then decline or say no to all of the options presented. I have personally found this prevents problems some people have had with this browser.

Regarding sluggish performance, I use Winpatrol to manage my autostarts, can make a huge difference;

http://majorgeeks.com/WinPatrol_d3380.html

Post back if you need help with this.

 

Thank you to everyone who has pointed me in the right direction!

I have downloaded and installed all of the 57 security updates relating to XP and SP2, and the entire operation took just under 15 minutes!

The computer is running much smoother now, and Internet Explorer now loads all of the graphics immediately!

 

Should be SP3, confused

 

Brandy is right, should be SP3, maybe a typo? :confused Now, what IE do you have now?

Go to windows update, and click EXPRESS. Install any and all critical and important updates it is showing. See if there is a SP3 in there now.

 

Unless the box"Do not show this Update again" has been checked.

 

Hi hrlow2, You have a point, there, and well, if that is the case, he may have to click restore hidden updates. He didn't say anything about hiding any. but, he really should be up to SP3.