Windows 7: Internet Explorer Won't Close

So I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I recently hooked my computer up to my TV with a VGA cable and tried out IE on the TV screen for a few minutes to see what it looked like. Then I moved it back onto my screen and ever since then I've been trying to figure out how to close it. When I try to close it it just makes a bell noise and although I can open and close tabs, I can't close the original tab even when others are open. I'm getting really pissed off. I usually use Firefox but I have it optimized for my netbook and I had to use IE to drag over onto the other screen so I just want to get this program off my screen and probably off my computer next.

EDIT: Also I don't know what this means, but I'm running Windows 7 and I just noticed that when I scroll over the IE icon at the bottom it shows each tab open, but I have 3 tabs open and it's only showing the two that will close. The other doesn't show up.

Run antivirus scan
Download and run malwarebytes


Internet Explorer - Reset
Go to tools
Internet options
advanced
reset
This removes all the add ons, which can be replaced later.

Nothing works, you can try a system restore.

Have a look at Capt. Jack's IE Restorator tool. Try the reregister first, then if needed you can try the reset, which will accomplish what Rich suggested as well.

SF IE Restorator - Troubleshooting General Issues with IE

A Guy

Even after you reboot? (If you can't reboot normally, use ctrl-alt-del to get a new screen with a red shut down button.)

seems windows 7 does this alot it will lock up the IE with me it gives a a/v warning but if i turn gamer mode on which disables most of the a/v the IE goes back to normal

I was experiencing this as well but you can thank your A/V for locking up the IE
and if you have a feature to turn some of the A/V scans off you will be able to continue

I found that the only way it will unlock itself

Please elp, I can't start the reset or download the link because it wants me to close all open windows which is exactly what I can't do!

cntrl alt del at the same time go to task manager force a close

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up task manager. On processes tab, right click iexplore.exe and left click end process tree.



A Guy

I have multiple Windows 7 systems, and having IExplore processes running after you exit the browser is the NORM.

Sometimes there wil be 5 or 7 iexplore.exe processes running with the browser window closed. Seems there's a problem killing IE processes on exit.

No, this is NOT an infection, adware, add-on, or anything similar. It's a BUG in IE.

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Which version of IE are you seeing this happen in? IE8 or IE9? 32bit or 64?

If it is a bug, then others should be able to reproduce it. I don't see this happen on any of the Windows 7 systems that I work with. What steps should I try to see what you are seeing?