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

This article describes how to reinstall or to repair Windows Internet Explorer in Windows Vista and Windows XP. You may have to do this if you have problems with Internet Explorer because of damaged files or missing registration information.

This article refers to an old version of Windows. For more information about how to install, reinstall, or uninstall Windows, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Methods to follow for Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8

Method 1: Reset the Internet Explorer settings

If you have Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8 installed, you can repair damaged files or missing registration information in Internet Explorer 7 or in Internet Explorer 8. To have us reset the Internet Explorer settings for you, go to the "How to fix it automatically" section. If you would rather fix this problem yourself, go to the "How to fix it manually" section.

How to fix it automatically

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix this problem link. Then, click Run now button from the Automated Troubleshooting Services page and follow the steps in this wizard.

Fix this problem
Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services: Improve performance, safety and security in Internet Explorer

How to fix it manually

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.
   
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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 7 or Internet Explorer 8

For Internet Explorer 7

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

• 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 will automatically check your system and provide you the download files.
If you have received the message: "You're already running Internet Explorer 8. Check out these free add-ons to get more out of your web." by click the above link, choose one of the following files to download from Microsoft Download Center Web site manually:

• 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 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 Windows Server 2008 64-bit Edition

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Method 3: Install Windows XP Service Pack 3

You may be able to resolve problems with Internet Explorer 7 by installing Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Click for details

To install Windows XP Service Pack 3, follow these steps:

1. Visit Microsoft Update.
2. Click Express Install (Recommended).
3. If your computer qualifies, Windows XP Service Pack 3 will be one of the updates that are automatically selected. Click Install.
4. Review the Microsoft Software License Terms. Then, if you agree with the terms, click to accept them

For more information how to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/ ) How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Methods to follow for Internet Explorer 6

Any of the methods in this article may resolve your problem. Feel free to select the one that you are most comfortable with.

Recommendation We recommend that you install the latest version of Internet Explorer, version 8. Installing the latest version of Internet Explorer will 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 install Internet Explorer 8, or if for some reason cannot do this, use the methods that are listed here.

Click for details to start with Method 1 to reinstall Internet Explorer 6

Method 1: Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows XP Service Pack 3

If you do not want to install Internet Explorer 8, or for some reason cannot do so, you may be able to resolve problems with Internet Explorer 6 by installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows XP Service Pack 3.

To install Windows XP Service Pack 2, follow these steps:

1. Visit Microsoft Update.
2. Click Express Install (Recommended).
3. If your computer qualifies, Windows XP Service Pack 2 will be one of the updates that are automatically selected. Click Install.
4. Review the Microsoft Software License Terms. Then, if you agree with it, accept it.

For more information how to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/ ) How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Method 2: Repair Internet Explorer 6 by using the System File Checker in Windows XP

If you already have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed, and you do not want to install Internet Explorer 8, you may be able to resolve problems with Internet Explorer 6 by running the System File Checker.

To run the System File Checker, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run type sfc /scannow, and then press ENTER.
2. Follow the prompts throughout the System File Checker process.
3. Restart the computer when System File Checker process is complete.

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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 whom you know for help or contact support. For information about how to do this, visit thewebsite.

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, 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 Web sites.

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 Web site:For more information about how to help protect your personal computer, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about how to obtain and to install Windows XP Service Pack 2, visit the following Microsoft Web site: 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:

Note This is a "FAST PUBLISH" article created directly from within the Microsoft support organization. The information contained herein is provided as-is in response to emerging issues. As a result of the speed in making it available, the materials may include typographical errors and may be revised at any time without notice. See Terms of Use (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151500) for other considerations.