Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

I need to install Internet Explorer as I deleted the entire install, it seems. When I try to install it an error message says I cannot because a newer version is already on my computer. There is nothing on my computer now except two files that wont do anything. I put them in the recycle bin, should i delete them? What can i do? Thanks!

julien croy
2013-03-16 18:43:38
HiTry deleting any old data that has to do with Internet Explorer, appdata...program data...etc. Once that happens try reinstalling, sometimes your version of windows wont "like" the newest version of internet explorer, which in that case you might want to pick a different browser such as chrome or firefox.
MAKEUSEOF VIDEO OF THE DAY
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Chaos Emperor
2012-11-12 11:34:23
what is the two file name?
Adam Campbell
2012-11-03 22:26:42
Download from microsoft. Make sure that you are indeed on a microsoft website
Raghav Gupta
2012-11-03 04:53:55
First delete them. And download the latest version. Also first update your windows because internet explorer needs latest drivers to run otherwise your installation will take long timeee.
Patrick Jackson
2012-11-02 07:02:08
Why not wait for IE 10? It will be coming soon and supports Windows 7!
Jim Chambers
2012-11-03 03:20:52
IE 10 is here in Windows 8 and it doesn't support windows7
2012-12-06 20:16:11
Well, now it is. Windows 7 supports ie10 beta now.
dhanunjayarao chunduri
2012-11-01 08:11:45
download and install the I.E 9 latest version from
Naveen Kumar
2012-11-01 04:07:24
please tell me how do you uninstall this completely. I tried never possibly could achieve it
Aashish Ghimire
2012-10-31 18:14:31
Try adding features from Windows DVD
josemon maliakal
2012-10-31 16:37:05
bruce is correct
Lisa Santika Onggrid
2012-10-31 14:18:34
Check Program Files. Maybe the two leftover items are dead shortcuts. In Program Files you can find the newer executable and create shortcut for it.If it's really gone from your computer and you need to download it, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/download-iePersonally I won't miss it so much.
Charles Yost
2012-10-31 13:44:29
IE is still on your computer if it is saying a newer version is already installed. I have run into this problem a few times myself when I thought that I had uninstalled a program. It should be an easy fix. Do the search for the program as suggested below or look in your All Programs folder from your Start Menu. It is probably still there.
Vishal Mishra
2012-10-31 12:31:16
1. Go to control panel and then un-install the current version.2. Download latest Internet Explorer from microsoft's website ( if you have any other browser) OR take a copy from your friend.3. Install it in you computer.4. Enjoy.
Norbert Gruszfeld
2012-10-31 09:34:39
first of all: why would U wanna do that ? ;)U cannot uninstal IE U can delete the shortcut but cannot uninstall it from your win based PC go to: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe to open itand copy this exe or make a shortcut anywete U want
ha14
2012-10-31 08:35:29
could you use windows update to detect IE and install a new one.microsoft System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821then try to install IEPerformed a clean boot using msconfig, restart the pc and install IE9, if IE installs, reboot again, then use msconfig again to revert the changes you made earlier.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796/en-usIE is a feature in windows 71) Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Turn Windows features on or off.2) To turn a Windows feature on, select the check box next to the feature. To turn a Windows feature off, clear the check box. Click OK. From the options, place a check mark on Internet Explorer 8 and click OK, and follow the instructions.Troubleshoot problems when you cannot install Internet Explorer 9http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2409098
Muo TechGuy
2012-10-31 08:34:15
Given that Internet Explorer is a core part o the OS and physically cannot be uninstalled, I very much doubt you actually deleted it. Probably, you just deleted the desktop icon. Click start, type "iexplore" into the search bit, and it will magically appear. Drag that to the desktop again to make a new icon.
Rayon Blend
2012-11-08 23:10:08
i totally agree/ if it a window laptop - don't delete ie , and you want other search you need ie to open other search
Nikhil Chandak
2012-10-31 07:26:30
is your Internet Explorer is having virus ..???download the full version of Internet Explorer setup , here is the download link http://download.cnet.com/Internet-Explorer/3000-2356_4-10013275.html?tag=mncol;6or download it from softpedia.comthen try to install it ...
Abderrahmane Zerifi
2012-10-31 06:53:28
the best way is to go in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318378/en-usThis article describes how to reinstall or repair Windows Internet Explorer in Windows 7, in Windows Vista, and in Windows XP. You may have to do this if you have problems because of damaged files or missing registration information when you use Internet Explorer.
Aniket Singh
2012-10-31 06:48:49
To install Internet ExplorerGo to the Download Internet Explorer 9 webpage.Select the language you want to install and your version of Windows, and then click Download.In the File Download dialog box, click Run, and then, in the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.Click one of the following:Restart now (recommended) (to finish the installation process now).Restart later
Ahmed Khalil
2012-10-31 11:14:51
thanks for the tips hope it work with me too
Jim Chambers
2012-10-31 01:41:13
Download from Microsoft download center and install IE 9 on Windows 7. Then use Windows update to install security patches.
Adrian Rea
2012-10-31 01:32:32
*deleted*Content reposted from http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-reinstall-internet-explorer.html
Muo TechGuy
2012-10-31 08:32:46
Adrian, please do not cut and paste content you find from other websites; it will result in a DMCA takedown notice that I have to deal with.
2012-10-31 01:17:05
What 2 files? Are they merely the shortcuts to IE? And if the computer says that IE is already installed on the machine, it is generally correct in what it is telling you. To verify this, go to 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer' for the 64-bit version of Windows or 'C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer' for the 32-bit version and look for the iexplore.exe file. That is Internet Explorer right there. Double-clicking on the file should open Internet Explorer for you.