How to reinstall or repair Internet Explorer in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP

This 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.

This article refers to older versions of Windows. For more information about how to install, reinstall, or uninstall Windows, visit the following Microsoft website:

Note If you would rather fix this problem yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.

To fix this problem, you can try the methods for the version of Internet Explorer that you're using.

Methods to follow for Internet Explorer 9, for Internet Explorer 8, and for Internet Explorer 7

If you are using Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 8, or Internet Explorer 7, any of the following methods may resolve your problem. Try the methods that best apply to your situation.

Method 1: Reset the Internet Explorer settings

Click here to watch the video In these versions of Internet Explorer, you can repair damaged files or missing registration information. To reset the Internet Explorer settings manually, follow these steps:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
   
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3. On the Advanced tab, click Reset under Reset Internet Explorer settings.
   
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4. In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset to confirm.
   
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Method 2: Reinstall Internet Explorer

For Internet Explorer 7

To download and reinstall Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Download Center website:

• For 32-bit Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Download Center website:
  Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP
• For 64-bit Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Download Center website:
  Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows 64-bit Client/Server

For Internet Explorer 8

To download and reinstall Internet Explorer 8, visit the following Microsoft Download Center website: This website automatically checks your system and provides you the download files. If you have received the following message by clicking the download link: "You're already running Internet Explorer 8. Check out these free add-ons to get more out of your web," select one of the following files to manually download the file from the Microsoft Download Center website.

• For 32-bit Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Download Center website:
  Windows Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP
• For 64-bit Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Download Center website:
  Windows Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit Edition or Windows XP Professional 64-bit Edition
• For 32-bit Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Download Center website:
  Windows Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista or for Windows Server 2008
• For 64-bit Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Download Center website:
  Windows Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista 64-bit Edition or for Windows Server 2008 64-bit Edition

For Internet Explorer 9

For information about how to install or uninstall Internet Explorer 9, visit the following Microsoft website:


To download and reinstall Internet Explorer 9, visit the following Microsoft website:

Method 3: Install Windows XP Service Pack 3

If you are running Windows XP, you may be able to resolve problems that affect Internet Explorer 7 by installing Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Click for details

Methods to follow for Internet Explorer 6

If you are using Internet Explorer 6, any of the following methods may resolve your problem. Try the methods that best apply to your situation.

Recommendation We recommend that you install the latest version of Internet Explorer. Installing the latest version of Internet Explorer can resolve several issues that were experienced in earlier versions of Internet Explorer. The latest version also includes the latest security, performance, and feature enhancements. If you do not want to upgrade your Internet Explorer installation, or if you cannot do this for some reason, use the methods that are listed here.

Click for details to start at Method 1 to reinstall Internet Explorer 6.

Troubleshooting for advanced computer users

This section is intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone to help you. You can also contact Microsoft Support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft website: Contact Microsoft

If the methods that are listed in this article do not resolve the issue, you may be able to resolve the issue by performing an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP. For more information how to complete an in-place upgrade, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
After you perform an in-place upgrade, click here to visit the Microsoft website to install the latest software updates that are available for Windows XP.

For Windows Vista

For information about how to obtain Windows Vista SP1, visit the following Microsoft websites.

For beginning-to-intermediate computer users: For IT Professionals:

For Windows XP:

For more information about Windows XP Service Pack 3, visit the following Microsoft website:For more information about how to help protect your personal computer, visit the following Microsoft website: For more information about how to obtain and to install Windows XP Service Pack 2, visit the following Microsoft website: For more information about how to obtain Windows XP Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about how to install Windows XP Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: