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How to Disable Internet Explorer
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There's no doubt that Internet Explorer has been a prime target of attack for spyware merchants and other ill-intentioned goons. That's why many folks have turned to alternate browsers for their web surfing.
If you are using another browser and don't use Internet Explorer anymore, there's a case to be made that you should remove it from your system. It is, after all, a potential security threat so, if you don't need it, why not get rid of it?
Except, getting rid of IE is not that easy. In fact, with later versions of Windows there's no satisfactory way of removing it completely without risking crippling Windows itself.
That hasn't stopped folks from trying to remove IE, however, and you can find several techniques documented on various web sites. Instead of removing IE I favor the simple and safer approach of disabling it. Sure, it may not provide the same degree of security as complete removal but that's a small price to pay compared to the cost of potentially de-stabilizing Windows.
There are several disabling techniques but I suggest the method below as it's simple, easy to reverse and doesn't interfere with the operation of the Windows Update service. Furthermore it should work with any modern version of IE.
Step 1. From IE select Tools/Internet Options/Connections/LAN Settings.
Step 3. Type in "0.0.0.0" in the address box and "80" in the Port box. Don't type in the quote marks of course, just what's inside them.
Step 4. Click OK.
What you've done is set up a dummy proxy server 0.0.0.0 that goes nowhere. With these setting IE cannot make an HTML connection to the internet and vice versa. You have simply and effectively disabled IE.
There's no magic in the 0.0.0.0 address, any dead proxy address would work just as well. I've used that particular address to keep things simple.
If you ever need to re-enable Internet Explorer start it up and select Tools/Internet Options/Connections/LAN Settings from the toolbar and un-check the box "Use a Proxy Server for your LAN ...”
If you really want to remove IE more completely then you can check out these resources but, as I said, I don't recommend it.
http://www.litepc.com/ieradicator.html
http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html
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Comments
Thank you so much for you posting... very easy to implement. IE did not show up on any of the expanded lists. I know it is on my computer because each time I try to download an older IE version, the response says "unable to download because a more recent IE version is detected on this computer." Any advice for me, please?!
when I turned the ie connection off the other browser's connection turned off too!! what can I do??
i ran into this problem as well. but if your using Firefox, follow these steps:
-click on Tools then down to Options
-click on the Advance tab then the Network tab
-under the connection back it'll say "choose how Firefox connects to the internet". in that same box theres a box that says "Settings". click on it.
-under settings select the circle that says "Auto-detect proxy settings for network."
boom. your done. no more pop up windows from IE. ugh...
Can i some how reduce memory usage of IE???
is there a way to disable internet explorer without disabling the anti virus update??/
i want to know...
if i did't find the connection option in my internet option..because it has to be some setting to disable the connection option from the internet..
how can i get this option back..
one problem is there , one system is internet option not open , i click the internet explorer, that system showing the this both %some setting are managed by your system administrator,,,,how to solve the problem please i want this problem solve steps.
Is there a way to disable internet explorer without disabling anti virus ? It is telling me the disconnect might be a part of group policy with sysytem administrator.???
SAME THING happened to ME... RUNNING windows 7 and I REALLY want IE gone period but tried the method of the fake proxy then tried to go into firefox and google and couldn't get on NO CONNECTION so went to FF connection unchecked the FAKE proxy and could get on...
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaa i so want IE gone of my PC but afraid it will mess up.. SICK OF all the space it takes EVEN THOUGH I HAVENT used IE in 6 months when i do a scan for JUNK there IE also collecting everything i have done on the other 2 browsers... WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaa
unfortunately, whenever i applied the tip/tweaks firefox unable to play my favorite radio streaming, then i had to revert back the setting, and my online radio come back again on firefox. I had turn IE off / disable via 'turn on and off windows features' in control panel (windows 7 starter), as for now doesn't affect my browsing and other W7's application.
This worked perfectly. Thank you A-nony-mouse. Bliss indeed without IE !
Further to my above post, I discovered that this technique caused all sorts of problems from Windows with my internet being disabled, ISP getting stuck and wifi getting disabled. DO BE VERY CAUTIOUS GOING DOWN THIS ROUTE as I spent a couple of hours undoing the damage. Am stuck with IE but better that than no internet & wifi.
I was very pleased for having been able to disable Internet Explorer. but now I am getting these errors 8e5e0147 and 80072edf when I try to update my windows vista software! Can you please help me asp as my PC it's not working properly for having 35 pending updates already!!! Thank you.
I think that Windows updates require IE to be enabled. It's because the internet settings are picked up from there I believe. It's no harm in enabling IE. Just don't use it if you have a pretty old version like IE6.
I am trying to fix a problem with my flash player but it keeps telling me that internet explorer is still running even though I never opened it to begin with. I can't figure out where it is running from.... I tried doing this disable of internet explorer but I am still getting the same message, even after a re-start. Can someone help me?
Sorry but we cannot provide individual support here in the comments. Please post details of your issue here in our forum:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/general-computer-support/
I have IE 7 on a 6 month old Toshiba Satellite L775, explorer has stopped working, but firefox and Chrome still connect to the internet. How do get it to work??
My internet explorer keeps poping up and I do not even use it! I do have pop-up blocker on but it doesn't help at all.
This is being triggered because possibly you have IE set as the default browser and programs on your system are trying to connect. It could also be a sign of infection. Please post here in our forum and someone will be able to assist you directly.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/general-computer-support/
MC
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