Internet Explorer can be turned off in Windows 7

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Mar 2009 4:07 User comments (18)

Microsoft has noted today that the upcoming RC of Windows 7 will include an "on/off" switch for Internet Explorer 8, making the browser not mandatory for the first time ever.

The option can be accessed through the control panel and will "turn IE8 off" but not necessarily uninstall the browser. By turning the feature off, the IE8 executable file "iexplore.exe" is deleted but the browser can be turned on again whenever the user wants.

Jack Mayo, group program manager for the Windows 7 document and printing team, added that the company wants to give users more options in turning off features that they may not necessarily need or want.

"We want to provide choice while also making sure we do not compromise on compatibility by removing APIs provided for developers," Mayo said. "We also want to strike the right balance for consumers in providing choice and balancing compatibility with applications and providing a consistent Windows experience."

Mayo did not add a release date for the new public RC but did say a final version of the OS will be available in Q1 2010.

Among other features that can be "turned off" in Windows 7 are "Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, Windows DVD Maker, Windows Search, handwriting recognition, Windows gadget platform, fax and scan, and the XPS viewer and services, including the virtual print driver."

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18 user comments

16.3.2009 16:18

DSWarrior

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They're finally doing something for the consumer! And most notably they finally woke up to the reality; Not everyone uses or even likes IE...so why push it on their faces?...

Good job M$! Keep it up and maybe...just maybe 7 won't be as disgusting as Vista...

26.3.2009 16:21

looser_ur

Inactive

Agreed!!!

However, I use IE because every-so-often there is an app that whole-heartedly prefers IE.......like Sharepoint apps. Don't see the practicality in ever 'turning off' IE but do see the practicality of barely ever using it.

36.3.2009 16:38

kiwi1

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Originally posted by looser_ur:
Agreed!!!

However, I use IE because every-so-often there is an app that whole-heartedly prefers IE.......like Sharepoint apps. Don't see the practicality in ever 'turning off' IE but do see the practicality of barely ever using it.

You can use a firefox add-on called "IE tabs" for stuff like that, including ms update.

46.3.2009 16:44

vballstud

Inactive

Originally posted by kiwi1:

Originally posted by looser_ur:
Agreed!!!

However, I use IE because every-so-often there is an app that whole-heartedly prefers IE.......like Sharepoint apps. Don't see the practicality in ever 'turning off' IE but do see the practicality of barely ever using it.
You can use a firefox add-on called "IE tabs" for stuff like that, including ms update.

I think that add on actually uses the iexplore.exe file, but slaps the firefox frame on it.

While I'm happy that MS has decided to do this, there are many websites ( Netflix included ) that can only be viewed using IE, unfortunately. Until those websites make their sites viewable through all browser types, IE will most likely remain a necessary component.

56.3.2009 16:54

Lothros

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so we turn off ie...

how do we then access windowz update lol

66.3.2009 17:01

SamNz

Inactive

Originally posted by Lothros:
so we turn off ie...

how do we then access windowz update lol

they will prolly just makes a app for it or just autoupdate

76.3.2009 17:13

engage16

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Quote:
Originally posted by Lothros:
so we turn off ie...

how do we then access windowz update lol
they will prolly just makes a app for it or just autoupdate

Obviously you guys are not the brightest bulbs... As of Windows Vista, updates are provided by their own program...

86.3.2009 17:20

SamNz

Inactive

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by Lothros:
so we turn off ie...

how do we then access windowz update lol
they will prolly just makes a app for it or just autoupdate

Obviously you guys are not the brightest bulbs... As of Windows Vista, updates are provided by their own program...

i havent used vista much so i didnt know,

96.3.2009 17:30

DXR88

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Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by Lothros:
so we turn off ie...

how do we then access windowz update lol
they will prolly just makes a app for it or just autoupdate

Obviously you guys are not the brightest bulbs... As of Windows Vista, updates are provided by their own program...

listen to Mr.120 Watt go.

106.3.2009 17:31

DVDBack23

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Now now guys, back on topic please :)

116.3.2009 20:34

xugiua

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The last few installments of Windows you were able to 'uninstall' IE. This 'turning it off' sound like the same thing. Because when you uninstalled it you could always reinstall it with ease. But yes, the firefox UserAgent does not make it 100% IE compatible. I still have to use IE for Netflix (As stated above) and for some school related sites. I still remember the days when IE used to be a major part of windows, if you deleted it back then you wouldn't be able to use the Windows Explorer or anything of the sort.

126.3.2009 23:55

sgriesch

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Speaking of Internet Explorer, does anyone know a fix for internet explorer locking up? Mine does it everyday, and it will close and restart to "fix" itself.
Also Firefox will not read all text. An example is on MSNSports the record doesn't show for baseball or hockey match-ups listed by each team. Works fine on Explorer.
Sorry it's a little off topic, but I would appreciate it greatly if someone could lead me towards a solution for these two things.

137.3.2009 00:48

DXR88

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Originally posted by sgriesch:
Speaking of Internet Explorer, does anyone know a fix for internet explorer locking up? Mine does it everyday, and it will close and restart to "fix" itself.
Also Firefox will not read all text. An example is on MSNSports the record doesn't show for baseball or hockey match-ups listed by each team. Works fine on Explorer.
Sorry it's a little off topic, but I would appreciate it greatly if someone could lead me towards a solution for these two things.

Try Opera or SeaMonkey AKA Mozilla.

for your IE issue you might want to start deleting ActiveX plugins. then reinstall them. sometimes they get corrupted or they automagicaly disappear.

as for firefox you probably need the Flash plugin. in my case Firefox has never worked correctly on my computer even the *nix variant.

147.3.2009 04:54

gallagher

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Quote:
Originally posted by kiwi1:

While I'm happy that MS has decided to do this, there are many websites ( Netflix included ) that can only be viewed using IE, unfortunately. Until those websites make their sites viewable through all browser types, IE will most likely remain a necessary component.
Netflix is now allowing Firefox.

157.3.2009 14:38

lamain

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Quote:
Netflix is now allowing Firefox.

can you explain more about this? Is this an upcoming change? I just tried it now and it still will not work.

168.3.2009 14:48

sgriesch

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Junior Member

Quote:
Originally posted by sgriesch:
Speaking of Internet Explorer, does anyone know a fix for internet explorer locking up? Mine does it everyday, and it will close and restart to "fix" itself.
Also Firefox will not read all text. An example is on MSNSports the record doesn't show for baseball or hockey match-ups listed by each team. Works fine on Explorer.
Sorry it's a little off topic, but I would appreciate it greatly if someone could lead me towards a solution for these two things.
Try Opera or SeaMonkey AKA Mozilla.

for your IE issue you might want to start deleting ActiveX plugins. then reinstall them. sometimes they get corrupted or they automagicaly disappear.

as for firefox you probably need the Flash plugin. in my case Firefox has never worked correctly on my computer even the *nix variant.

Thanks for the suggestions. I would like for Internet explorer to work properly, as some sites don't support other browsers. The flash plug-in seems simple enough for firefox, but to be honest I don't know which ones are already installed. I'll have to look at it. Google Chrome did the same exact thing when I tried it.

179.3.2009 12:51

j1ngl3boy

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I've been a member of Netflix for about 3 months now, and I have NEVER used Internet Explorer. I've ALWAYS used Firefox.

1816.3.2009 10:03

Tarsellis

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This isn't really "turning internet explorer off", it's simply stopping a single process. Don't forget, iexplore.exe is based on explorer.exe (actually a shell for it, open windows explorer and go to a web page in the address bar), and it's DLLs and related processes are shared with core windows processes. This is just a trick to make the EU happy, and pretend they're complying with regulations.

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Internet Explorer can be turned off in Windows 7

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