Unable to remove IE8

[retspag]

I’ve uninstalled IE8 before on 2 other Windows 7 installs with no problems. I go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features\turn windows features on or off And uncheck IE 8 , and press ok and I get this error message: “An error has occurred. Not all of the features were successfully changed.” And it doesn't get rid of IE8. Any idea how to fix this? I'm using Win 7 64bit thanks.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello retspag just what browser are you using or want to use?

Now have you tried looking in the task manager too and just disable/end the process??

 

[Layback Bear]

You don't remove I.E. 8. You update it to a newer I.E. For Windows 7 the newest one would be I.E. 11.


Install or uninstall Internet Explorer - Windows Help

Turn off Internet Explorer

Because Internet Explorer is a Windows feature, you can't uninstall it, but you can turn it off. Here's how:

Sorry.

 

[derekimo]

Not the correct term is all, since it can't be removed anyway.

It is turned off in features. That is what they tried and got an error.

No need to update something that is getting turned off.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Derek I was just wondering what browser the OP intended to use or is using to know just why he wants to get rid of the IE8 ? conflicts and could not the IE.exe be got rid of in other ways?

PS I was answering this one because of the long wait that was in place too.

 

[retspag]

Derek I was just wondering what browser the OP intended to use or is using to know just why he wants to get rid of the IE8 ? conflicts and could not the IE.exe be got rid of in other ways?

PS I was answering this one because of the long wait that was in place too.

I use Firefox exclusively, so I don’t need IE. firefox is installed and working fine, but I always disable/uninstall things I don't use.

 

[UsernameIssues]

You should (IMO) keep at least two browsers up to date. You might need your backup browser to help you research and download stuff to fix your primary browser - in case the primary browser barfs.

However, IE is special. Various part of it might be used by other apps (even if you turn IE8 off in the feature list). I would suggest leaving it turned on and keeping it patched. I just tested turning off IE8 inside of a Virtual Machine and sure enough, my VPN tool in that VM still uses part of IE8 to display the log on screen. Also, a little 3rd party weather app that sits in the notification tray also uses parts of IE.

What I don't know (and cannot test right now) is:
Will Windows update offer IE patches if the IE feature is turned off.

If you really want the IE8 feature turned off, try running a SFC scan:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[retspag]

There’s 5 computers that can go online in my house so I don’t need a backup browser, also I could just put in one of my Linux DVDs and go online with it. I've had IE turned off for 5 years on my windows 7 computer with no problems (just my experience, I'm not saying it can't cause problems). I'll give that scannow thing a try. thanks.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

You should (IMO) keep at least two browsers up to date. You might need your backup browser to help you research and download stuff to fix your primary browser - in case the primary browser barfs.

Which is basically what I do Chrome and IE and I have Linux and Ubuntu on sticks as I too have seven machines that I can use albeit some at my own place some at my partners home.