I'm getting bogus error messages on internet explorer.  One message
comes on my home page telling me that I have a problem with IE and do
I want to send a message to Microsoft.  The only way I can get rid of
this one is to reboot.  Another problem is a I get a "can't open this
website...etc" error message with a couple of websites.  I know it's
unique to just one PC cause there's no problem on 2 of my 3 machines
on my LAN.  I've tried repeatedly to uninstall/reinstall IE, but of
course, it only takes you back to the original IE, whatever version
that is.  I'm running XP Pro on all 3 PC's.  Here's my question.  Is
there a way to COMPLETELY uninstall all versions of Internet Explorer
from my PC and reinstall IE {without formatting/reinstallation of
Windows}?

Jerry Blevin

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Request for Question Clarification by answerguru-ga on 16 Nov 2003 08:01 PST

Though this may not completely remove IE, you may find it useful:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=293907

Let me know if if it helps :)

answerguru-ga

Hello again, Jerry...

As noted in the link provided by answerguru-ga:

"NOTE: Internet Explorer 6 is preinstalled by default in all
 versions of Windows XP. To provide computer manufacturers
 greater flexibility in configuring desktop versions of
 Windows XP, Microsoft has made it possible for OEMs,
 administrators, and users to remove user access to Internet
 Explorer while leaving the Internet Explorer code intact
 and fully functional to ensure the functionality of programs
 and operating system functions that rely on it."
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=293907

In other words, they remove access to the program, but all
the software and registry entries remain fully installed.

To work around this, in the case of a desire to reinstall
IE6, Microsoft eventually published the following article:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318378

Be aware of the cautionary statement on that page:

"IMPORTANT: After you use the procedures in this article,
 you must reinstall any updates to Windows XP again. To
 reinstall Windows XP updates, visit the following
 Microsoft Windows Update Web site:"
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

One of the options presented in this MS article is to  
repair IE6 by using 'System File Checker'. Doing this, however, 
checks *all* your system files, not just IE6 files, and generally 
takes a lot of time. Another option is to go into the registry  
and fool your computer into believing IE6 is not installed, 
which will then allow you to re-install it (otherwise, you will 
get a message saying IE6 is already installed, and Setup cannot 
continue). 
 
This page, from The Elder Geek website, describes the same options 
in, perhaps, a more user-friendly format: 
http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_reinstall_ie_and_oe_6.htm 
 
I would recommend method 2, in which you use the registry to  
tell the computer that IE6 is not installed. You can then either 
download and install it anew, or use the install file (ie.inf) 
as detailed in method 2 on this page from The Elder Geek: 
http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_ie6.htm

I would also recommend a fresh download of IE6, Service Pack 1,
from this page on Microsoft, rather than using the ie.inf file
already on your system:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.asp
 
If you have never edited the Windows Registry, I can understand 
that you might feel reluctant, however, I believe this to be 
the simplest option to repair IE6. You could, nonetheless, run 
System File Checker, and it might solve your problem. 
 
Either way, you will have to follow the instructions on the 
pages above to the letter.


Since this is a potentially complex computer problem, and I 
don't have access to your computer, it's possible that it 
will require some exchanges before your problem is resolved.

Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that
the answer cannot be improved upon by means of a dialog
established through the "Request for Clarification" process.

sublime1-ga


Searches done, via Google:

repair reinstall "Internet Explorer" "Windows XP"
://www.google.com/search?q=repair+reinstall+%22Internet+Explorer%22+%22Windows+XP%22

I recommend updating your OS and browser via the following url:

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

Connect to the site and check to see which updates you need to bring
your browser and OS up to the most recent patch level.  This will not
cure all problems but it's a great place to start.

If you have not done this in the past, the update will correct a
number of secuirity problems with the browser and OS as well.  It will
take a long time if you are connected via dialup.

Thanks.