Steps to Reinstalling Internet Explorer 6 in Windows XP and Windows 2000

Windows Platform, Computing
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Overview

Internet Explorer 6 is still supported by Microsoft as long as you have the latest and supported service pack for Windows XP or Windows 2000. If you are sure that there’s no spyware or other types of malware causing IE6 to not function correctly, the following sections will describe the steps to use to reinstall Internet Explorer 6.

Reinstall IE6 in Windows XP

Because IE6 is the built-in browser (shipped) in Windows XP, a repair tool is not available. This however does not mean that you cannot repair or reinstall IE6 in XP. Below are the steps that you can use to fix the issue or reinstall Internet Explorer in Windows XP:

Use System File Checker by running the SFC /SCANNOW command to allow the utility to scan the system for corrupted system files (including IE6). You may need to insert your XP installation CD to proceed using this method. If SFC will not help to resolve the issue, you can reinstall IE6 in XP using any of the methods below:

  • Insert the Windows XP CD in your CD drive. Click Start and Run commands and type or copy and paste this line: rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 c:\windows\inf\ie.inf. Press the enter key to proceed reinstalling IE6 in XP.
  • You can also make Windows XP prompt you in reinstalling IE6 by editing the registry. Open regedit and navigate to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}\IsInstalled. Right-click IsInstalled and select Modify. Change the value from 1 to 0. The system will prompt you to reinstall IE6.

Note: If the XP CD is not available, you can borrow a friend’s XP CD to use the above method or copy the I386 folder from the CD but ensure that you change the installation path when reinstalling IE6 using the I386 folder. You can also download the IE6 setup file from the Microsoft Download Center website.

Reinstall IE6 in Windows 2000 and earlier system

To repair IE6 in Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 and earlier operating systems, open the Add/Remove Programs utility in Windows, select and double-click the entry Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Tools in the list of installed programs. Choose Repair Internet Explorer to proceed with the repair. If this method will not help, you might need to reinstall the operating system. Note that Windows 2000 SP4 is supported until July 13, 2010 only, unless Microsoft releases another service pack or extends the support.

Only use the above method if you are positive that there is no spyware or malware on the computer which is causing Internet Explorer to not run properly. Also, please note that it is recommended to upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer to take advantage of security fixes and features for the said browser. If you’re done reinstalling Internet Explorer, proceed with the installation of critical security and program updates or fixes by visiting the Microsoft Update website. To prevent trouble in reinstalling IE6, keep a backup copy of your system, allowing you to restore in no time.