Internet Explorer 8 is the built-in browser in Windows 7. It supports Windows XP, Server 2003, Vista and Server 2008. If after installing or upgrading to IE8, you don’t like it for some reason or you are experiencing a compatibility issue, this article will describe the steps to uninstall IE8.
Before removing IE8 due to compatibility in viewing some websites, consider enabling Compatibility View in Internet Explorer. If the reason you want to remove IE8 is because of compatibility issues with programs & add-ons, check the program vendor’s website for any updates or fixes to support IE8. You should also note the following prior removing IE8:
- IE8 is part of Windows 7, disabling or removing access to IE8 means you will not have a browser anymore. Make sure to download or install an alternative browser before removing IE8. If IE8 has been removed, you will need another computer to download your new browser or any software installer that is bundled to install or download another browser. Example: Avast anti-virus and Ad-Aware anti-malware is offering Google Chrome browser free.
- Removing IE8 in Vista and earlier operating systems means you are reverting back to the prior version – IE7 or IE6.
Uninstall IE8
For users of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003:
Method 1: Locate Windows Internet Explorer 8 in the Add or Remove Programs utility. Click remove and continue with the uninstall wizard. Restart the computer when finished.
Method 2: Start > click Run > type cmd.exe > type the following command: %windir%\ie8\spuninst\spuninst.exe
Press enter to proceed removing and restart the PC when finished.
Note: If Windows Internet Explorer 8 is not listed in Add/Remove Programs or if the second method will not work, you may have installed IE8 before installing XP Service Pack 3. You will need to remove XP SP3 before you can proceed to remove IE8 using the Add/Remove Programs utility.
For users of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008:
Method 1: Open Control Panel > Click Uninstall a Program under Programs category > Select View installed updates > Double-click Windows Internet Explorer 8 > Click Yes in the Uninstall an update dialog box > Enter your administrator password when prompted or proceed to restart the computer after uninstalling IE8.
Method 2: Click Start > type cmd.exe in Start Search box > In the list of programs, right-click cmd.exe to select run as administrator > paste or type the following command then press enter:
FORFILES /P %WINDIR%\servicing\Packages /M Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer-8*.mum /c “cmd /c echo Uninstalling package @fname && start /w pkgmgr /up:@fname /norestart”
Restart the PC when finished.
For users of Windows 7:
Open Control Panel > click Uninstall a program under Programs > Turn Windows features on or off > clear the check box next to Internet Explorer 8 > select Yes in the warning dialog box. The system will restart after the installation.
Known issue after uninstalling IE8
You might see event log error (Event ID: 1041; Source: Userenv) for Applications events whenever you reboot. The error message is “Windows cannot query DllName registry entry for {7B849a69-220F-451E-B3FE-2CB811AF94AE} / {CF7639F3-ABA2-41DB-97F2-81E2C5DBFC5D} and it will not be loaded. This is most likely caused by a faulty registration.”
To resolve this error, locate HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\GPExtensions using registry editior in Windows. Delete the following keys:
{7B849a69-220F-451E-B3FE-2CB811AF94AE} = Internet Explorer User Accelerators
{CF7639F3-ABA2-41DB-97F2-81E2C5DBFC5D} = Internet Explorer Machine Accelerators
Final note: When you’re done with uninstalling IE8, remember to visit the Microsoft Update website to grab the available updates for IE7 or IE6 to take advantage of security and program fixes.
