How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7

2025 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:28

Internet Explorer 11 is the latest version of Microsoft's browser, but not everyone is thrilled with it. If you prefer an older version or if it doesn't work well, you can revert to the original version by uninstalling Internet Explorer updates. You can do this from Windows or by using the Command Prompt.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Control Panel

Step 1. Open the Control Panel from the Start menu

Step 2. Open the program manager

Click on "Uninstall a program" if you are in the category view or on "Programs and Features" if it is set with icons. A list of all the programs installed on your computer will open.

Step 3. Open the Windows update list

Click on the "View installed updates" link on the left of the screen. A list will open with each installed update for Windows, including Internet Explorer, which is a Windows service.

Step 4. Find the Internet Explorer 11 entry

You can select it directly or write "Internet Explorer" in the search field at the top of the window.

Step 5. Uninstall Internet Explorer 11

Select Internet Explorer 11 and click on the "Uninstall" button or right click on the entry and select "Uninstall".

• Confirm that you want to uninstall the update by clicking Yes. User Account Control may ask for it one more time.

  

Step 6. Wait for the uninstall process to complete

It may take a few minutes. Once finished, click Restart Now to restart your computer and complete the operation.

• Internet Explorer will revert to the previously installed version. This could be Internet Explorer 10, 9, or 8.

  

Step 7. Hide the update

If you don't want to be prompted to install Internet Explorer 11 again, you can hide this entry in Windows Update so that it is ignored.

• Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.

  

• Select "Windows Update". If you are viewing by categories, select "System and Security" and then "Windows Update".

  

• Click on the "# optional updates available" link.

  

• Right-click on Internet Explorer 11. Select "Hide Update".

  

Step 8. Install a different version of Internet Explorer

If you are reverting back to the older one, you can always update it to whatever version you want. For example, if uninstalling Internet Explorer 11 brings you back to Internet Explorer 8, you can always manually install Internet Explorer 9 or 10.

Method 2 of 2: Use the Command Prompt

Step 1. Open Command Prompt

You can do this by clicking on the Start menu  Accessories, right clicking on Command Prompt and selecting "Run as administrator".

Step 2. Copy and paste the following command which will uninstall Windows Explorer updates:

FORFILES / P% WINDIR% / servicing / Packages / M Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer- * 11. *. Mum / c "cmd / c echo Uninstalling package @fname && start / w pkgmgr / up: @fname / norestart"

Paste the previous command and press Enter

Step 3. Accept mistakes

You will likely get some errors while the command is running. You will need to click OK in each error window that appears.

Step 4. Restart your computer

After returning to the Command Prompt, the uninstall process will be virtually complete. You will need to restart your computer to finish the process.

Step 5. Hide the update

If you don't want to be prompted to install Internet Explorer 11 again, you can hide this entry in Windows Update so that it is ignored.

• Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.

  

• Select "Windows Update". If you are viewing by categories, select "System and Security" and then "Windows Update".

  

• Click on the "# optional updates available" link.

  

• Right-click on Internet Explorer 11. Select "Hide Update".

  

Step 6. Install a different version of Internet Explorer

If you are reverting to the older version, you can always upgrade to whatever version you want. For example, if uninstalling Internet Explorer 11 brings you back to Internet Explorer 8, you can always manually install Internet Explorer 9 or 10.