Internet Explorer 8 Can Be Uninstalled In Latest Windows 7 Build

Martin | Mar 04, 2009 | Comments

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You might have noticed the legal battle between Microsoft and the European Union about the integration of Internet Explorer in the Windows operating system.The European Union is pressuring Microsoft to provide alternatives or ship the next installment without Internet Explorer much like the Media Player-less installations that are available in the European Union as well.

The guys over at AeroXperience seem to have discovered that Microsoft is indeed offering an option to remove Internet Explorer 8 from the Windows 7 operating system. To be precise: The option to remove Internet Explorer 8 has been found in Windows 7 build 7048. It was not there in the beta release of Windows 7 which seems to suggest that Microsoft is working on a way to comply with the European Union in the matter.

uninstall internet explorer

It should also be noted that uninstalling Internet Explorer 8 from the Windows 7 installation will not remove all of its components from the computer system. Microsoft has integrated Internet Explorer into the Windows operating system that it would practically require a full rewrite to get rid of it completely.

Only the actual Internet Explorer executable will be removed from the Windows 7 build if the option to remove Internet Explorer 8 is selected. Here are the steps to undertake to remove Internet Explorer from Windows 7:

  • Enter the Control Panel and look at “All Control Panel Options”
  • Click “Programs and Features”
  • In the left sidebar, click “Turn Windows Features On or Off” (you will be thrown a UAC prompt if you elevated UAC)
  • Wait for the list to load.
  • Look for Internet Explorer 8 in the list and uncheck it.
  • Click OK. You will see a prompt notifying you of a reboot.
  • The machine will reboot once, configure things, and reboot again.

There is no word yet if the uninstallation of Internet Explorer in Windows 7 affects any other areas of the operating system. Several components but also third party tools use the rendering engine of Internet Explorer.

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About the Author: Martin Brinkmann is an Online Journalist from Germany who discovered his love for technology in high school. He is currently working as a freelancer for several publications and runs his own Internet website Ghacks

  • This is one feature that is really gonna help many a users.
  • Charlie
    How comes Microsoft have to remove IE/supply other browsers in Windows 7 but Apple doesn't have to remove Safari in their new computers? Bit unfair isn't it?
  • Apple does need to comply the same way because they do not have control over the market the same way that MS does.  Windows is used by about 88% of computer users running operating systems... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_oper...
  • Robert
    Perhaps if IE's market share is so low that others like FF or Chrome are above it, perhaps Microsoft might change things a bit.
  • Peter
    So, if Microsoft aren't allowed to bundle IE8 with Windows 7 say, how is anyone meant to go and download another browser?


    Many consumers don't know about other browsers like Chrome and Firefox, or don't like to use them. The majority of people I have met/know, only use IE8. The only people I know using alternative browsers are IT savvy types.Â
  • Alan
    @Peter


    Exactly the point I always make when this kind of discussion takes place. And, funnily enough, my suggestion the last time the topic came up was to make IE a part of windows install, but allow it to be removed, making it lavailable for those that use it often, and giving those of us who prefer other browsers the option to remove it, after installign our own. It seemed microsoft had the same idea; keeping the internal components to maintain compatibility (which is a big point microsoft is focusing on in windows 7) seems a no brainer as well. I am very excited in the changes Microsoft have made to windows 7 and can't wait to test the RC when it is released.
  • billy
    I thing  build 7048 be RC1
  • Alan
    @billy


    I dont think so. When Microsoft make a build thats to go public, they like to have it nice solid build numbers. This seems close, but if they had planned to have this as the RC they would not have left the buildnumber on the desktop watermark.


    More likely 7050+
  • Peter
    @Billy


    Also, the RC is rumored to be coming around April 10th. That's still a whole month away for new builds. 


    @Alan


    What you say is very true. I'm pretty sure we can expect RC to be build 7050+ or just called RC.Â
  • Alan
    In that case then, 7050 looks to be more and more likely. The PDC and Beta builds that were released to developers (Builds 6801, 7000) had been build around a month in advance so they could d extended testing on those specific builds. If they build one build a day, then build 7050 will have been created on 21/2, meaning microsoft will have approximately 6 weeks of full-scale testing before releasing the RC.
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