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How to Disable Internet Explorer
Thu, 04/10/2008 - 09:36 — gizmo.richards
There's no doubt that Internet Explorer has been a prime target of attack for spyware merchants and other ill-intentioned goons. That's why many folks have turned to alternate browsers for their web surfing. If you are using another browser and don't use Internet Explorer anymore, there's a case to be made that you should remove it from your system. It is, after all, a potential security threat so, if you don't need it, why not get rid of it? Except, getting rid of IE is not that easy. In fact, with later versions of Windows there's no satisfactory way of removing it completely without risking crippling Windows itself. That hasn't stopped folks from trying to remove IE, however, and you can find several techniques documented on various web sites. Instead of removing IE I favor the simple and safer approach of disabling it. Sure, it may not provide the same degree of security as complete removal but that's a small price to pay compared to the cost of potentially de-stabilizing Windows. There are several disabling techniques but I suggest the method below as it's simple, easy to reverse and doesn't interfere with the operation of the Windows Update service. Step 1. From IE select Tools/Internet Options/Connections/LAN Settings.
Why keep Internet Explorer when you use another browser. It's just a security risk.
Step 2. Put a tick in the check box next to "Use a Proxy Server for your LAN ...”
Step 3. Type in "0.0.0.0" in the address box and "80" in the Port box. Don't type in the quote marks of course, just what's inside them.
Step 4. Click OK.
What you've done is set up a dummy proxy server 0.0.0.0 that goes nowhere. With these setting IE cannot make an HTML connection to the internet and vice versa. You have simply and effectively disabled IE.
There's no magic in the 0.0.0.0 address, any dead proxy address would work just as well. I've used that particular address to keep things simple.
If you ever need to re-enable Internet Explorer start it up and select Tools/Internet Options/Connections/LAN Settings from the toolbar and un-check the box "Use a Proxy Server for your LAN ...”
If you really want to remove IE more completely then you can check out these resources but, as I said, I don't recommend it.
Windows 95 - Windows 2000 SR1
http://www.litepc.com/ieradicator.html
Windows 2000 and later.
http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html
Gizmo
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Comments
Most programs that use the internet have a default setting to use ie proxy settings, but can be changed to use the ip that exporer used, or connect directly. (or through an annonimous proxy)
What about blocking the program
c:\programs\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
in your firewall?
Internet Explorer is integrated into Yahoo Messenger so things that go wrong with IE can affect Yahoo Messenger! I had to enable IE again so I can use YM.
This woulda been a good solution 10 years ago- now all your really doing is hiding popups, without fixing the problem.
In XP Pro I went into Set Program Access and Defaults > Add Remove Windows Components > uncheck IE. I use Avant browser. So far no problems. I did run the troubleshooter and tested Messenger when it took a while the first time. Now Messenger logs ok.
By default, some programs use internet explorer settings to connect to Internet. You should uncheck this option with the softwares you've mentionned.
"By default, some programs use internet explorer settings to connect to Internet. You should uncheck this option with the softwares you've mentionned."
Sorry to be stupid, but could someone tell me how to do this? Windows XP Pro.
Hi -- the block is not just on MSN Messenger, but on chat programs that allow MSN connections as well, such as Trillian. So it's good this is easily reversible, since many people I chat to persist in using MSN, poor unenlightened s*ds. But it was nice to kick IE in the wotsits while it lasted!
PS One day I hope to be in a position to get a username and then all will know that I'm not hiding, even though anonimity can be a warm blanket at times.
When I disabled Internet Explorer I was no longer able to log on to MSN Messenger.
Many softwares like media players use IE internally and they may get affected right?
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