Disable Internet Explorer on Windows

This article describes how to disable any supported version of Internet Explorer on Windows.

Applies to: В Windows
Original KB number: В 4013567

More information

To disable Internet Explorer, use one of the following methods.

If you want to restore the program on the same computer, we recommend that you use the same method that you first used (Control Panel or DISM). Because Internet Explorer remains installed on the computer after you disable it, you should continue to install security updates that apply to Internet Explorer.

Method 1 — Use Control Panel (client systems only)

On client systems, you can use the Program and Features item in Control Panel to disable Internet Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows logo key+R to open the Run box.
2. Type appwiz.cpl, and then select OK.
3. In the Programs and Features item, select Turn Window features on or off.
4. In the Windows Features dialog box, locate the entry for the installed version of Internet Explorer. For example, locate the Internet Explorer 11 entry. Then, clear the check box.
5. Select OK to commit the change.
6. Restart the computer.

Method 2 — Use DISM (client and server systems)

On client and server systems, you can use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool to disable Internet Explorer. For example, to disable Internet Explorer 11, follow these steps.

Disable the feature

To disable Internet Explorer 11, run the following command at an elevated command prompt: dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64 .

The following message is returned:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Image Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Disabling feature(s)
[===================100.0%===================]
The operation completed successfully.
Restart Windows to complete this operation.
Do you want to restart the computer now (Y/N)?

You must restart the computer to implement the change.

Enable the feature

If you want to re-enable Internet Explorer 11, run the following command at an elevated command prompt: dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64 .

The following message is returned:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Image Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Enabling feature(s)
[===================100.0%===================]
The operation completed successfully.
Restart Windows to complete this operation.
Do you want to restart the computer now (Y/N)?

You must restart the computer to implement the change.

How to locate and open Internet Explorer in Windows 10

Technical Level : Basic

Summary

Windows 10 represents a major revision of the client operating system; one major change is how we browse and experience the Internet. Windows 10 will include a new web browser called Microsoft Edge. This will be the new default web browser in Windows 10, replacing the well known Internet Explorer which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015. Even though Microsoft will be the default web browser in Windows 10, Internet Explorer will still be around for legacy purposes. In this article, we take a look at how to access Internet Explorer if you still need to use it.

Details

Please note, Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Pro LTSB (Long Term Service Branch) editions do not include Internet Explorer. Windows 10 LTSB editions are normally available to volume license customers. Your only option is to use a non LTSB version of Windows 10. This will require speaking with your IT department or Desktop Support Technician within your organization. Windows 10 LTSB editions do not include Microsoft Edge either.

When you do a fresh install Windows 10, you will only see Microsoft Edge as your default web browser pinned to the Taskbar and Start > All Apps.

You can access Internet Explorer two ways:

Click Start > All Apps and look under Windows Accessories

Once you have located it, right click it and click Pin to Taskbar

Another way you can locate it is by using the Search box on the Taskbar, type Internet Explorer, right click it and click Pin to Taskbar

Last, but not least, using the Run command.

Fix: Internet Explorer Missing in Windows 10 (Find IE)

There are lots of users complaining that when they try to search for Internet Explorer in Start menu search bar of Windows 10, Internet Explorer is not appearing in the search result. Even the worst part is that it also not available in the Windows Accessories folder. Strange right? It it is not there, then where it is?

Is Microsoft hiding Internet Explorer (IE) so that users can use the Microsoft Edge, the new default browser for Windows 10? The answer to this question is a mystery.

Fix Internet Explorer Missing in Windows 10

So for whatever reason, If you’re not able to launch Internet Explorer using the Windows 10 Start menu search bar or by any other method, then you can follow the instruction to launch missing Internet Explorer in Windows 10.

Image: intowindows.com

Here is what you need to do:

If Internet Explorer in not appearing in the Start menu search result, then you can find it under Windows Accessories folder:

1. For that, click on the Start button, Scroll down until you see Windows Accessories folder. Click on the down arrow and here in the list, you will definitely see the Internet Explorer.

If Internet Explorer icon is appearing in the list of Windows Accessories, then this confirms that there is an issue with Search feature. You can fix Internet Explorer not appearing in Windows 10 search by rebuilding the search index in Windows 10. For that, you can check the tutorial on how to rebuild the search index in Windows 10.

Image: intowindows.com

In case, Internet Explorer is not appearing in the Windows Accessories folder, then what? Keep following the second step.

2. You need to navigate to the following location:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer

Note: If you’re using 64-bit version of Windows 10, then you need to navigate to above location

C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer

Note: If you’re using the 32-bit version of Windows 10, then you need to navigate to above location.

In the above location, C: represent the drive folder where you have installed the Windows 10 operating system.

3. In the Internet Explorer folder, you will see different files and folders. Here you need to look for the “iexplore” (it is a .exe file).

Make a right click on iexplore file -> Send to -> Desktop (create shortcut) and this will create a shortcut of Internet Explorer on your desktop.

To launch Internet Explorer, you can use this shortcut of Internet Explorer. Also, instead of using this shortcut, you want to add Internet Explorer back into the Windows Accessories folder, then you need to follow the remaining steps.

4. You need to copy the newly saved Internet Explorer (iexplore) shortcut from the desktop. After that, launch Run dialog box by pressing Window + R keyboard shortcut.

In the run dialog box, paste the path mentioned in upcoming line and press Enter key to launch Windows Accessories folder.

5. In the folder, you need to paste the Internet Explorer (iexplore icon). When you see the confirmation dialog, click Continue to complete the process.

From now onward, you will definitely see the Internet Explorer in the Windows Accessories folder in the Windows 10 Start menu.

Windows 10 Start menu search feature will not show you the Internet Explorer in the results as you have just added a new shortcut of Internet Explorer in Windows Accessories folder and it take the time to automatically index the shortcut in the same search results.

If you want Internet Explorer icon to appear in the Search result immediately, then you can manually rebuild the search index in Windows 10.

Let us know, if you find this tutorial useful? Also, were you able to find the missing Internet Explorer (IE) in Windows 10?

Missing Internet explorer 11 in Windows 10

I’m completely missing Explorer 11 in Windows 10. Even though the files are showing up under ‘program files and program files I have the same question (37)

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1. «C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer»

Does double-clicking iexplore(.exe) open Internet Explorer?

2. So. is the issue that:

a. IE isn’t in the list in Turn Windows features on or off

b. the program shortcuts to IE are missing

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When I open IE from short cut, task bar or directly. It continues to insert IE in the back ground process. There is a constant ‘wait circle i’m doing something here. That opens IE multi times in the back ground process. The attempt opened over 2500. It will continue to do so until the PC freezes. Requiring a shut down. On occasion a hard power off.

As for the short cuts they are there and they do point to the right place. I have even tried run it in compatibility mode.(win 8) Admin I have even tried putting all execution files in a win 8 Admin run position. This is something I have learned will work if you are trying to install and old program. And can’t get past the first step. (But that is off subject). I have insert a screen shot of both the Task mgr an Turn on or off.

One other odd ball issue I recently installed a new hard drive. PC kept crashing . So I replaced the HD. Had to do a new install because of issues with the other OS. Odd thing is if I disconnect it (physically) the key board wont respond ( wired kB wireless mouse ) I hope I haven’t clouded the situation with more salt then needed.

One last thing ‘ that powershell comment on the bottom ; after running one suggestion I was left with that as a pop up in the form of a note pad file

Fix: Internet Explorer Missing From Windows 10

Last Updated on March 4, 2020 by admin 15 Comments

Earlier this morning, I rebooted my PC running Windows 10 to complete the installation of a pending update. After restarting Windows 10 PC, I tried to launch the Internet Explorer browser using the Start menu search, but the search didn’t show Internet Explorer in its results.

At first, I thought the Start menu search is not working as it should and tried to navigate to the Windows Accessories folder of the Start menu (under All apps), hoping that I can run Internet Explorer from there. To my surprise, the Internet Explorer shortcut was missing even from the Windows Accessories folder, and this was the reason why the Start menu search was unable to search for the Internet Explorer program.

If you’re also unable to launch Internet Explorer program in Windows 10 using the search, you can try out given below directions to launch Internet Explorer program

IMPORTANT: If the Internet Explorer is not showing up in the Start menu, you can try other methods out there to launch the Internet Explorer. Refer to our 6 ways to open the Internet Explorer in Windows 10 guide for directions.

Method 1 of 2

Fix to missing Internet Explorer from Windows 10

Step 1: Open Start menu, click All apps (if you can’t see All apps, refer to our All apps missing in Windows 10 guide), and then navigate to Windows Accessories folder.

Note that in Windows 10 anniversary update builds, there is no All apps button in the Start menu. You need to scroll to see the Windows Accessories folder.

Step 2: Click on the Windows Accessories folder. The Internet Explorer icon should appear here. If the Internet Explorer shortcut is showing up, you can fix the issue (Internet Explore not appearing in search results) by rebuilding the search box. To rebuild, please refer to our how to rebuild the search index in Windows 10 guide for step-by-step instructions.

And if the Internet Explorer shortcut is not appearing under the Windows Accessories folder, follow the instructions in steps given below.

Step 3: Navigate to the following folder:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer (on 64-bit/x64 Windows 10)

C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer (on 32-bit/x86 Windows 10)

In the above path, “C” is the drive letter of the drive where Windows 10 is installed.

Step 4: Once you navigate to the Internet Explorer folder, right-click on iexplore (.exe), click Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut) option to create a shortcut of iexplore on desktop.

You can now click on the iexplore shortcut on the desktop to launch the Internet Explorer browser. To add it back to the Windows Accessories folder and make it available in search results, you need to complete the next three steps.

Step 5: Copy the newly created iexplore shortcut from the desktop, open Run command box by simultaneously pressing Windows logo and R keys, paste the following path, and then hit the Enter key to open Windows Accessories folder. When you see the confirmation dialog, click the Continue button.

Step 6: Finally, paste the iexplore shortcut. Rename the shortcut from iexplore to Internet Explorer.

The Internet Explorer shortcut should now appear in the Start menu Windows Accessories folder.

Step 7: The search will not immediately show Internet Explorer in its results as the new shortcut we just added to the Windows Accessories folder is not indexed yet. Either manually rebuild the search index by following the instructions in our how to rebuild the search index in Windows 10 or wait for a couple of hours to let Windows 10 automatically index the shortcut and show the same in search results.

Method 2 of 2

Enable Internet Explorer in Windows 10

Step 1: Type Appwiz.cpl in the Start/taskbar search field and then hit the Enter key to open Programs and Features window.

Step 2: On the left pane of the window, click the Turn Windows features on or off link. Clicking the link will open the Windows Features window.

Step 3: Here, scroll down the list to see the Internet Explorer entry. Select the Internet Explorer checkbox and then click the OK button. If you are asked to reboot, restart your computer once after saving your work.