IE9 32-bit version won't run (64 bit one does)

I'm stuck. IE9 went dead in the Start Menu the other day, so to make a long story short I uninstalled it and reinstalled the 64-bit version (I forget which I had before). The only thing now is that while the 64-bit version runs, the 32-bit won't. The iexplore.exe file doesn't respond at all, not even to flash and stop. Any ideas how to fix this?

One thing I noticed while uninstalling IE9 is that only the executables disappear, not the other files. Is that normal (for IE9)? I was thinking that if I could clean house and start again, then maybe the problem would disappear. I hesitate to delete the other files manually, and actually that may not even be possible because the time I tried, ieproxy.dll wouldn't let go (ActiveX related). Thanks,

Your system is 64-bit so you should choose the 64-bit version for download. When you uninstall it your system should automatically switch back to IE8. Whichever version you are currently using (IE8 or IE9) you can always go to the control panel and try a reset: CtrlPanel/Internet Options/Advanced/Reset.

The 64-bit version of Windows 7 includes both the 64-bit version of IE9 and the 32-bit version.

How did you uninstall IE9? Normally, it should be done by checking the Install Updates list and removing the IE9 update.

If you try and uninstall anything from the Start Menu, all you're doing is removing a porogram shortcut, not the program itself.

I'd be inclined to system restore to a point before you say IE9 stopped working, and then check under Windows features in Programs & Features that IE9 is selected.

If you then check your Start Menu there should be shortcuts for both versions of the browser.

The last try I uninstalled IE9 via View Installed Updates (it can sometimes also be done in Turn Windows Features On and Off). That merely got rid of the executables, not the rest of the files in each folder. Upon reinstalling, the Start Menu does show both IE9 versions, but like the file itself, the 32-bit one doesn't respond (and it's subordinate menu doesn't show the executable).

One of the things I discovered in the process is that System Restore in Win 7 is not complete. That is, before dealing with this, the last restore point was Oct 16, even though I created one last week and other apps had done so in between. Oct 16 may have to be it - that seems easier than a system repair - but it still means a lot of work updating everything else. It appears that the system restore module only rolls back apps, not files. Is that true?

Btw, I thought the US Gov't-MS deal a decade ago was that the browser was supposed to be independent of the OS. Were it truly so, say like FF and Opera, this discussion wouldn't be necessary. Thanks,

It looks like your system is not behaving normally regarding IE. Did you try uninstalling IE9 so that the only thing left working was IE8 and then try resetting IE8? If so, what happened? If Windows 7 not behaving normally, try using sfc /scannow at a command prompt.

A sfc /scannow yesterday and today return no integrity problems.

Definitely not behaving normally re IE, which leads to a question. I've uninstalled IE9 and reset IE8. However, the IE9 problem is replicated with IE8: IE8 32-bit does not run from the Start Menu, All Programs or the file itself. Only the 64-bit version runs. It doesn't make sense to reinstall IE9 with this ongoing. Any suggestions (other than repair install or restore back to Oct 16)? thanks,

Update: thanks to a repost and an MVP - MS engineers are rarely helpful - the problem is solved. For reference, there are scripts by Kai Schätzl for "Repair IE8 (IE7) and IE9" at Internet Explorer FAQ - Repair IE8 (IE7) and IE9 for just this sort of thing.