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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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Actually, it CAN do stuff to your computer without having it open.
Mine would open without my consent, and continuesly open until I shut the computer down. It froze all major commands, and would kill off my internet service.
I have neither a virus(I have scanned numerous times), nor do I have a hacker. IE is extremely bugged.
Try using Ubuntu. It's pretty easy if you are coming from a Windows background. I used XP and still support XP but use Ubuntu Desktop. I like the connect to computer option and most tasks are pretty easy on Linux.
After I disabled IE, I can still get MSN, but not Yahoo Messenger
Ok so how do i enable internet explorer?
when i disable ie i cant go on windows live messanger someone pls help
so how can i use msn with no ie i am now using firefox
Getting rid of IE is a wonderful idea and I used a commercial Program called XP Lite to do it...then I had to reinstall it because I rudely discovered that there are a lot of company invoicing websites that won't work with any browser other than Internet Explorer, so no IE = no paycheck. That is literally all it is used for.
My computer crashed (what a shock and dismay that such crap is sold to the public!) after restoring everything IE come up with AOL flyshit all over everything. When I first obtained the computer AOL was my only available internet access (via long distance). I have since canceled my AOL account and uninstalled AOL. Now I cannot find AOL to uninstall and I fear that it is hard wired into IE? How do I remove, get rid of, disable, delete, trash, KILL the AOL!
Thanks for your help.
GRRRRRRRRRRRR another piece of crap just popped up. I'll never be saying that again now that Internet Explorer is gone forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Use IEiradicator it works. And Thank you!
use emesene.
( the: 0.0.0.0 ) CAUSED WAAAAAY TOOOO MANY PROBLEMS,..... DON'T FORGET TO SET A RESTORE DATE!!
did not work. bad.
Used proxy setting 0.0.0.0 to disable IE, unfortunately disabled google chrome as well. Guess I will just have to live with IE enabled but never used.
when i go into my IE folder there is no tools option. no connections and no LAN settings, yet its the source of the spyware on my computer, i cant remove the spyware until IE is disabled, what do i do
use linux guys worth every minute and $$
Isn't linux a freeware?? so no $$ involved
IT IS REALLY GOOD ONE..!!!!!
You're a genius. Thanks for the manipulation technique.
:
StoneCuban
Excellent! Two down for one shot.
Post to the forum.
Yes, but this is a bonus isn't it?
And it's BILL'S COMPUTER.
This is excellent. Why didn't someone think of this before?
So simple - must be the #1 method.
I will also try it with Windows Explorer and other stuff I don't want.
If you use a dialup connection, you have to look under Internet Options > Connections > Settings. If you use LAN Settings, IE will ignore the proxy and still connect to the Internet. But it still works if you set the dummy address under the proxy settings for dialup connections in "Settings".
if IE is disabled in this, my msn (windows live messenger) can't connect it says (more people have the same problem above^). Is there a way of having IE disabled this way but not disabling msn as a result? like by connecting through firefox instead or something like that?
but sure if other programs use iexplore.exe then it is started isn't it even if you don't literally go and open up IE
I did this to IE and now Quux Player will not stream any radio stations. In fact, I was listening to the radio and it cut off after I closed IE, and I got 'connection failed' on all stations I tried to get. I enabled the IE connection again, and the stations started streaming again. How strange! Big brother at work behind the scenes!
HAVE KIDS... HAVE AOL Guardian. I need to disable IE so they can't 'go around" the AOL guardian access. Will the above work? Any other options? AOL is a pain in many ways, but has a GREAT guardian program to keep my kiddos safe.
If you do this any program that you have on your computer (such as MSN/Windows Live Messenger) that relies on Internet Explorer for interenect access will no longer work. Basically these programs share the same settings, by entering 0.0.0.0 as a proxy, none of these programs can now connect (this is simply because IE is installed by default and it's the simplist way for other programs to connect to the internet).
Your best option would probablly to be just setting Firefox/Opera/Safari etc to your default browser and then remove the IE shortcut from the start menu to stop people from using it.
Run spybot search and destroy, sounds like you have adware.