When considering how to completely remove Explorer, you should understand the clear difference between which system component to uninstall. Windows has three services with the same name: Explorer, GUI Support, and Internet Explorer. Since the first two elements cannot be deleted under any pretext, let us dwell on the issues of uninstalling a web browser.
Can I uninstall Explorer?
As for the first two components mentioned above, you can not even try to remove them. In the simplest case, instead of "Explorer" (Windows Explorer), you can use some other file manager. Removing the second component, which oversees the operation of the graphical interface, is also impossible, because even when manually deleting files and folders with unlocking access through the Unlocker program, the entire system, as they say, will “crash”.
But here with Internet Explorer Windows-systems, some actions can be taken. But this standard application, as it turns out, is not so easy to remove from the system. At least, the installed version of the browser, which has not been updated to a higher modification, cannot be removed from Windows using standard tools.
How to remove Explorer on Windows 7: the easiest method
Immediately, we note that when you try to access the programs and components section, you will not see the list of installed browser applications. The only uninstall option is to uninstall updates, if any.
In this case, the question of how to remove Explorer 7, if it was installed, say, over the sixth version, does not raise questions. In the case when the seventh modification of the browser is installed by default (for example, in Windows XP), and IE 8 was installed on top of it, only the eighth version can be deleted, and the seventh will remain untouched. The same goes for upgrading to the most current version of IE 11.
If the program is in the list of applications, there is nothing easier than just selecting it and pressing the delete button. Otherwise, you must use the section to view installed updates and select a program there.
But after all, an update can spontaneously be reinstalled if this mode is enabled (and it is enabled by default) in the Update Center. In this case, you need to specify a manual search for updates and find the browser update in the results, after which use the update hiding item through RMB. In this case, the new version of the browser will not be guaranteed to be installed subsequently.
Disable browser
In general, the question of how to remove Explorer on Windows 7 can also be interpreted as changing the browser used to access the default websites, or completely disabling it so that the system no longer activates it.
To begin with, you should use the default program section in the “Control Panel”, find the application there that is responsible for opening Internet pages and just specify a different browser, and then save the changes.
By the way, you should not deal with the removal of the built-in browser, since it may be necessary, say, to access the settings of routers or ADSL modems, when it is impossible to do this from another browser.
On the other hand, the problem of how to remove Explorer on Windows 7 can be solved by disabling this program, so that the system is guaranteed to never access it. Such actions imply the use of the same section of programs and components, where exactly in the list of system components the check box from the line containing the name of the browser is simply unchecked. Thus, the so-called “wired” version of IE is deactivated.
Using the command line and PowerShell
Some users do not stop there and still look for ways to solve the problem of how to uninstall Explorer on Windows 7. In this case, we can recommend using the command line or a similar PowerShell console.
To delete, you will have to enter a long line with the following contents: FORFILES / % WINDIR% \ servicing \ Packages / M Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer - *. Mum / “cmd / echo Uninstalling package @fname && start / w pkgmgr / up: @ fname / norestart. "
Please note that both the command line, called via the cmd command from the Run menu, and the PowerShell console launched by the command of the same name must start exclusively with administrator rights. Otherwise, the command will not give the effect of execution.
If an error occurs during the execution of the command, you will need to go to the browser folder and, using the Unlocker tool, unlock the executable file or even the entire browser directory, after which the uninstallation can be repeated.
Force browser deletion
If the above method does not work, in some cases third-party tools may help. One of the most interesting programs that allow the most complete removal of applications (including system ones) is the iObit Uninstaller package.
The bottom line is not to use the list of installed applications, which resembles the standard Windows scheme, but to use the forced uninstall function. After calling it up in a line by pressing the browse button, you need to specify the full path in the browser folder and delete it. The application directory is located in the program directory Program Files (x86) on the system drive. Upon completion of the standard removal process, it is advisable to perform an in-depth scan of the residual components (if it is not enabled by default) and delete all folders, files and registry entries using the file destruction activation.
Instead of a total
If you draw a line, it remains to say that you should not remove the browser from the system. It is much easier to deactivate it, because sometimes it can come in handy. But, if there is already a need to completely uninstall IE, you will have to perform the above steps to completely remove the browser only at your own peril and risk, because no one will guarantee Windows performance in this case.