Authored by Kumara Velu in Computer Software 
Published on 03-25-2009

You may have installed Internet Explorer 8 hoping to enjoy its additional features not available in previous versions. But then after using Internet Explorer 8 for a while you may not be totally satisfied with it because it’s unstable and crashes often. It could also be unresponsive when you’re using a third party application like Google Toolbar. You may also have grown tired of having to close your browser every now and then and send an error report to Microsoft.

Is it possible to remove Internet Explorer 8 from your system? If it is, how can it be done? Yes, it’s possible to uninstall Internet Explorer 8 by following the steps below.

If you’re using Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, all you have to do is head for the Control Panel via the Start Menu. The next step will be to select Add/Remove Programs. In the list of programs, just choose Internet Explorer 8 and click Remove.

If you’re wondering whether you’ll be totally removing your Internet Explorer from your system, rest easy. If you’ve installed IE 8 while using IE 6 or 7, you have not removed either version and installed IE 8. You’ve just have upgraded from the previous version to version 8. So, when you uninstall IE 8, you’re just removing an update and you’ll be left with the previous version of Internet Explorer. Yes, you’ll still have all the security updates you installed prior to drafting in Internet Explorer 8.

There may be an issue though with Windows Server 2003. After uninstalling Internet Explorer 8, you may find the Internet Explorer icon missing on your Start menu or when you search for it through All Programs.

Panic not. This does not mean Internet Explorer has been expunged from your system. You can still find the icon on your Quick Launch bar. You could also open Internet Explorer by typing Iexplore.exe in the Run command box.

Alternative Method

Try this method if you’re unable to uninstall using the above method.

• After closing all programs, execute the Run command.
• Type cmd.exe and press Enter.
• In the cmd.exe window, type the following command: %windr%\ie8\spuninst\spuninst.exe and press Enter.

Removing Internet Explorer 8 from Windows Vista

In Windows Vista, Internet Explorer 8 is not considered a program. It is classified as an update. So, don’t be surprised if you can’t find IE 8 under Programs and Features. Here’s how you go about uninstalling Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista.

• First go to Control Panel and click on Uninstall Programs. Alternatively, you can choose the Programs and Features icon.
• Then head to the Tasks pane to your left. On the `installed updates’ link, click on View.
• Look for Windows Internet Explorer 8 and then click on Uninstall. When you’re asked whether you’re sure you want to uninstall the update, click on Yes.