Internet Explorer: Difference between revisions

From MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Jump to navigationJump to search
(added IE7 issue affecting Firefox and forum link)
(mozilla.com links)
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
==If you no longer wish to use Internet Explorer==
==If you no longer wish to use Internet Explorer==
The easiest route would be to make your Mozilla browser the [[default browser]] and simply stop using Internet Explorer.  You can also consider these other options:
The easiest route would be to make your Mozilla browser the [[default browser]] and simply stop using Internet Explorer.  You can also consider these other options:
===Secure Windows and Internet Explorer===
The [http://www.sans.org/top20/#c1 SANS institute recommends] the following precautions for Windows users. Remember that parts of Internet Explorer can be used by other programs, so users should follow the advice even if they don't click on the blue e.
* Upgrade to at least Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista SP2, or Windows 7
* Enable Windows automatic updates [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/automaticupdate.mspx]
* Upgrade to Internet Explorer 8
* Regularly update all plugins
* Configure Internet Explorer security settings as recommended by SANS and CNET, including: [http://news.cnet.com/8301-13880_3-10436478-68.html]
** turning on DEP for all programs
** turning on Protected Mode (available only on Windows Vista and Windows 7)
** using the Medium-High security setting for the Internet zone and High security setting for Restricted sites
* Use a standard account instead of an administrator account for browsing [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Why-use-a-standard-user-account-instead-of-an-administrator-account]
* Use [[antivirus software|antivirus]] and anti-spyware software
* Use a hardware or software [[firewalls|firewall]]
* Use an alternative browser instead of Internet Explorer
===Hide the Internet Explorer icon from the desktop===
Right-click on the Desktop -> click Properties -> Desktop -> Customize Desktop -> Desktop Icons -> Internet Explorer <uncheck  this
Another way (in Windows XP, possibly different for other versions of windows) Start -> Set Program Access and Defaults -> Add/Remove Windows Components -> Uncheck Internet Explorer -> Click Next.  Now Internet Explorer has been partially uninstalled.
===Remove Internet Explorer from Windows===
===Remove Internet Explorer from Windows===
Although uninstalling Internet Explorer from Windows is possible, you are advised not to remove IE for a number of reasons:
Although uninstalling Internet Explorer from Windows is possible, you are strongly advised not to remove IE, for a number of reasons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Explorer#Removal]:
# '''Many web sites are programmed to work only with Internet Explorer'''. For example, webmasters authoring a site may have not tested with other web browsers. The majority of websites on the Internet should work with Mozilla browsers, but there are some sites that appear distorted or inaccessible unless IE is used as a browser.
# '''Many web sites are programmed to work only with Internet Explorer'''. For example, webmasters authoring a site may have not tested with other web browsers. The majority of websites on the Internet should work with Mozilla browsers, but there are some sites that appear distorted or inaccessible unless IE is used as a browser.
# '''[[Windows Update]] requires Internet Explorer.''' As an alternative, you may be able to manually download security updates, but it will require more monitoring and work than letting Windows Update handle this for you.
# '''[[Windows Update]] requires Internet Explorer.''' As an alternative, you may be able to manually download security updates, but it will require more monitoring and work than letting Windows Update handle this for you.
# '''Some applications depend on libraries installed by Internet Explorer.'''  These applications may no longer work or they may behave unexpectedly if IE is removed.
# '''Some anti-virus products require IE for updates.''' Live updates or automatic DAT updates used by both Norton and McAfee are built on Internet Explorer's foundation. You may be able to manually update your virus signature files but it could require more work.
# '''Some anti-virus products require IE for updates.''' Live updates or automatic DAT updates used by both Norton and McAfee are built on Internet Explorer's foundation. You may be able to manually update your virus signature files but it could require more work.
# '''Both removing and restoring IE is risky and difficult.''' IE is complex with extensive hooks built into Windows, for efficiency and functionality. Thus unplugging it from your system may impact Internet connectivity, Windows functionality, and break functionality in Microsoft Office and non-MS products.
# '''Both removing and restoring IE is risky and difficult.''' IE is complex with extensive hooks built into Windows, for efficiency and functionality. Thus unplugging it from your system may impact Internet connectivity, Windows functionality, and break functionality in Microsoft Office and non-MS products.
# '''IE is more than a browser, it is the foundation for Internet functionality in Windows.'''
# '''IE is more than a browser, it is the foundation for Internet functionality in Windows.'''


If, despite this advice, you would still like to uninstall IE, then [http://litepc.com/ LitePC] is a good place to start. LitePC or any other third-party program that removes IE is most definitely not recommended for novice users.  However, instead of uninstalling IE,  you should consider alternatives such as making IE more secure, or hiding Internet Explorer
If you still want to remove IE despite these warnings, there are third-party programs available like [http://litepc.com/ LitePC] that remove IE but these are most definitely not recommended for novice users.  Instead of uninstalling IE,  you should consider the alternatives first, such as making IE more secure, or hiding Internet Explorer.
 
===Secure Internet Explorer===
*Open Internet Explorer
*Go to Tools | Internet Options... | Security
*Set the security level for all zones except trusted sites to high
*Set the security level for trusted sites to medium
*While the trusted sites zone is selected, click on the Sites... button
*Uncheck Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone
*Add:
**<nowiki>http://*.update.microsoft.com</nowiki>
**<nowiki>https://*.update.microsoft.com</nowiki>
**<nowiki>http://download.windowsupdate.com</nowiki>
With only the above three sites in the trusted sites zone, the trusted sites zone set to medium security, and all other zones set to high security, Internet Explorer is as secure as it can be while still leaving Windows Update functional. To be as safe as possible, use Internet Explorer only when absolutely necessary. IE generally has known highly critical security vulnerabilities, and even well-known sites can contain exploits that a fully patched version of Internet Explorer is vulnerable to. In addition to securing Internet Explorer, you may also want to hide the icon as described in the next section.
 
===Hide the Internet Explorer icon from the desktop===


Right-click on the Desktop -> click Properties -> Desktop -> Customize Desktop -> Desktop Icons -> Internet Explorer <uncheck  this
==Upgrading Internet Explorer==
 
Another way (in Windows XP, possibly different for other versions of windows) Start -> Set Program Access and Defaults -> Add/Remove Windows Components -> Uncheck Internet Explorer -> Click Next.  Now Internet Explorer has been partially uninstalled.


==How to repair or reinstall Internet Explorer==
===Internet Explorer 8===
This [http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318378 Microsoft support article] discusses how to repair or reinstall Internet Explorer 6, if needed. 
''The following applies to Windows XP and Windows Vista''
'''Important''':  If you have Internet Explorer 7 installed, first follow the instructions below to remove IE7. 
 
==Internet Explorer 7==
If Firefox or another browser is the default, IE 7 Beta 2 apparently prevents Outlook or Outlook Express from launching a browser from an email link.  Making IE 7 the default browser corrects the problem.  Updating to IE7 RC1 may resolve this issue  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=458537] or you can also uninstall Internet Explorer 7, which will restore Internet Explorer 6.  See the [http://msdn.microsoft.com/ie/releasenotes/default.aspx Release Notes for Internet Explorer 7] for additional information about installing, updating or removing IE7.


===Removing Internet Explorer 7===
Internet Explorer 8 can be installed as an upgrade on Windows XP and Windows Vista [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/support/system-requirements.aspx].  Visit the [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx Internet Explorer 8 Home page] and [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/support/faq.aspx IE8 FAQs page] for additional information. Windows 7 comes with IE8 preinstalled.
*Click your Start button, then go to Control Panel
*Go to Add or Remove Programs
*Go to Change or Remove Programs and make sure "Show updates" is checked.
** If you are running Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview or a later version, it is no longer necessary to check "Show updates."
*Scroll down on the list and highlight the version of Internet Explorer 7 that you are running.
*Click "Remove" to uninstall. [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/support/default.mspx]


===Software Updates===
It is important to get the latest updates to your software. One easy way to get the latest updates is to set up [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/automaticupdate.mspx Windows Update] to download and install the latest operating system patches, Internet Explorer patches, and drivers.


Windows Update will not install the latest plugin software. You will have to manually update all plugins. Remember that Internet Explorer uses ActiveX plugins and all other browsers use Netscape plugins. If you wish to keep Internet Explorer and another browser up-to-date with the latest plugins, you will have to download and install both versions, and check that each browser is using the latest versions of plugins. You can check that Firefox plugins are up to date at the [http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/ Plugin Check].


[[Category:Migration (browser)]]
[[Category:Migration (browser)]]
[[Category:Privacy and security]]

Latest revision as of 02:50, 30 December 2011

Internet Explorer is the most widely-used web browser and it is included as part of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Mozilla browsers such as Firefox have recently gained significant popularity over Internet Explorer, one probable reason being the publicity generated by Internet Explorer security flaws. Also, some appreciate what they see as the greater simplicity and efficiency of Firefox. Others continue to support Internet Explorer because certain sites, especially those dependent on Microsoft's ActiveX technology, reject all browsers except Internet Explorer. Some of these sites can be visited anyway via user agent spoofing, if a Mozilla browser extension such as user agent switcher is used.

If you no longer wish to use Internet Explorer

The easiest route would be to make your Mozilla browser the default browser and simply stop using Internet Explorer. You can also consider these other options:

Secure Windows and Internet Explorer

The SANS institute recommends the following precautions for Windows users. Remember that parts of Internet Explorer can be used by other programs, so users should follow the advice even if they don't click on the blue e.

  • Upgrade to at least Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista SP2, or Windows 7
  • Enable Windows automatic updates [1]
  • Upgrade to Internet Explorer 8
  • Regularly update all plugins
  • Configure Internet Explorer security settings as recommended by SANS and CNET, including: [2]
    • turning on DEP for all programs
    • turning on Protected Mode (available only on Windows Vista and Windows 7)
    • using the Medium-High security setting for the Internet zone and High security setting for Restricted sites
  • Use a standard account instead of an administrator account for browsing [3]
  • Use antivirus and anti-spyware software
  • Use a hardware or software firewall
  • Use an alternative browser instead of Internet Explorer

Hide the Internet Explorer icon from the desktop

Right-click on the Desktop -> click Properties -> Desktop -> Customize Desktop -> Desktop Icons -> Internet Explorer <uncheck this

Another way (in Windows XP, possibly different for other versions of windows) Start -> Set Program Access and Defaults -> Add/Remove Windows Components -> Uncheck Internet Explorer -> Click Next. Now Internet Explorer has been partially uninstalled.

Remove Internet Explorer from Windows

Although uninstalling Internet Explorer from Windows is possible, you are strongly advised not to remove IE, for a number of reasons [4]:

  1. Many web sites are programmed to work only with Internet Explorer. For example, webmasters authoring a site may have not tested with other web browsers. The majority of websites on the Internet should work with Mozilla browsers, but there are some sites that appear distorted or inaccessible unless IE is used as a browser.
  2. Windows Update requires Internet Explorer. As an alternative, you may be able to manually download security updates, but it will require more monitoring and work than letting Windows Update handle this for you.
  3. Some applications depend on libraries installed by Internet Explorer. These applications may no longer work or they may behave unexpectedly if IE is removed.
  4. Some anti-virus products require IE for updates. Live updates or automatic DAT updates used by both Norton and McAfee are built on Internet Explorer's foundation. You may be able to manually update your virus signature files but it could require more work.
  5. Both removing and restoring IE is risky and difficult. IE is complex with extensive hooks built into Windows, for efficiency and functionality. Thus unplugging it from your system may impact Internet connectivity, Windows functionality, and break functionality in Microsoft Office and non-MS products.
  6. IE is more than a browser, it is the foundation for Internet functionality in Windows.

If you still want to remove IE despite these warnings, there are third-party programs available like LitePC that remove IE but these are most definitely not recommended for novice users. Instead of uninstalling IE, you should consider the alternatives first, such as making IE more secure, or hiding Internet Explorer.

Upgrading Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 8

The following applies to Windows XP and Windows Vista

Internet Explorer 8 can be installed as an upgrade on Windows XP and Windows Vista [5]. Visit the Internet Explorer 8 Home page and IE8 FAQs page for additional information. Windows 7 comes with IE8 preinstalled.

Software Updates

It is important to get the latest updates to your software. One easy way to get the latest updates is to set up Windows Update to download and install the latest operating system patches, Internet Explorer patches, and drivers.

Windows Update will not install the latest plugin software. You will have to manually update all plugins. Remember that Internet Explorer uses ActiveX plugins and all other browsers use Netscape plugins. If you wish to keep Internet Explorer and another browser up-to-date with the latest plugins, you will have to download and install both versions, and check that each browser is using the latest versions of plugins. You can check that Firefox plugins are up to date at the Plugin Check.

Retrieved from "http://kb.mozillazine.org/index.php?title=Internet_Explorer&oldid=44426"