When you start Internet Explorer, it opens, flashes, and then closes immediately

When you start Windows Internet Explorer 8, it opens, flashes, and then closes immediately.

This occurs because the version of Internet Explorer on your computer has become corrupted.

Method 1: Reset Internet Explorer settings

Reset Internet Explorer to its default settings. This removes all changes that were made to Internet Explorer since it was installed, but it does not delete your favorites or feeds. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Close all Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer windows.
2. Click Start
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   , and then click Internet Explorer.
3. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
4. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
5. In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset.
6. When Internet Explorer finishes restoring the default settings, click Close, and then click OK two times.
7. Close Internet Explorer, and then reopen it. The changes take effect the next time that you open Internet Explorer.

Method 2: Uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall it

If resetting Internet Explorer to its default settings does not fix the problem, uninstall Internet Explorer 8 and then reinstall it. To do this, select the appropriate operating system, and then follow the corresponding steps.

Note This method cannot be used for Internet Explorer 7 issues as it is a part of Windows Vista and cannot be uninstalled.

Windows 7

Uninstall Internet Explorer 8 from Windows 7-based or Windows Server 2008 R2-based computers

1. Close all programs.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. Click Programs, and then click Turn Windows features on or off.
4. In the list of Windows features, clear the Internet Explorer 8 box.
5. Click Yes when you are prompted to.
6. Click OK. Internet Explorer 8 will now be uninstalled. The system will restart after the installation.

Install Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7-based or Windows Server 2008 R2-based computers

1. Close all programs.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. Click Programs, and then click Turn Windows features on or off.
4. In the list of Windows features, check the Internet Explorer 8 box.
5. Click Ok and wait for system to restart.

Windows Vista

Uninstall Internet Explorer 8 from Windows Vista-based computers

1. Click Start.
2. In the Start Search menu, type programs, and then click Programs and Features in Programs List.
3. Click Windows Internet Explorer 8 Release Candidate 1.
4. Click Uninstall.

Install Internet Explorer 8 on Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008-based computers

1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   Windows Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=79154FB4-C610-4A1E-811D-DFE0F1DD84D1&displaylang=en)
2. Click the Download button on the page to start the download, or select a different language from the Change language list, and then click Go.
3. Follow one of these steps:
   • To start the installation immediately, click Run.
   • To save the download to your computer for installation later, click Save.
   • To cancel the installation, click Cancel.

Windows XP

Uninstall Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8 from Windows XP-based computers

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Make sure that the Show updates check box is checked.
4. Click Windows Internet Explorer 7 or Windows Internet Explorer 8.
5. Click Remove.

Install Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8 on Windows XP-based computers

1. Visit either of the following Microsoft Web sites depending on which version you want to install:
   Windows Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP (http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/details.aspx?familyid=341C2AD5-8C3D-4347-8C03-08CDECD8852B)
   
   Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9AE91EBE-3385-447C-8A30-081805B2F90B)
2. Click the Download button on the page to start the download, or select a different language from the Change language list, and then click Go.
3. Follow one of these steps:
   • To start the installation immediately, click Run.
   • To save the download to your computer for installation later, click Save.
   • To cancel the installation, click Cancel.

Method 3: Internet Explorer troubleshooters in Windows 7

By default, Windows 7 has two Internet Explorer troubleshooters on a new installation. These are

1. Internet Explorer Performance
2. Internet Explorer Safety

Run Internet Explorer troubleshooters

1. Close all programs.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. Click Find and Fix Problems under System and Security.
4. Click View All on the task pane on the left.
5. Click Internet Explorer Performance.
6. Click Next in the dialogue box.
7. The troubleshooter will run and fix all identified issues automatically. Click Close.

After you run the "Internet Explorer Performance" troubleshooter, start Internet Explorer to see whether the issue is fixed. If the issue still occurs, run the ‘Internet Explorer Safety’ troubleshooter by using the same steps as mentioned earlier.