Remove (and Reinstall) Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10

Remove Internet Explorer 11 from Windows 10

[Archived] Have no use for Internet Explorer on your computer? See no point in keeping IE around? Find out here how to remove (and reinstall) Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10.

First, a Dance Instructor Watches His Car Getting Washed

Observing from inside, the former professional dancer and dancing trainer George C. Ballas was mesmerized. With firm and gentle action, the bristles struck against the car and windshield in an almost cutting motion without hurting the surface, forming a soft cleaning blanket.

Possibly, he had other metaphors in mind of water and wind perhaps, like those handed down to Confucian rulers.

Reportedly, he had his backyard tree in mind: could not those bristles cut the weeds and grass around a tree without hurting its bark?

Now that we know how the Weed Eater became an idea, how about gently cutting Internet Explorer 11 from your machine without hurting Windows 10?

Support for Internet Explorer 11 has ended on June 15, 2022. Using an out of date browser on a computer connected to a public network is a security risk.

How to Remove Internet Explorer 11 from Windows 10

 
This is an archived article.
 

Time needed: 5 minutes

To uninstall Internet Explorer 11 from Windows 10:

  1. Open Windows 10 Settings.

    Here’s how: Click the Settings gear icon in the Windows Start menu.
    Windows keyboard shortcut: Press Windows I to open Settings.

  2. Go to the Apps category.

  3. Now click Optional features under Apps & features.

    Shortcut: You can also start typing optional features in the Settings Find a setting field and select Manage optional features from the list of auto-completions.

  4. Click Internet Explorer 11.

  5. Choose Uninstall from the context menu that has appeared.

Reboot at a convenient time for Windows 10 to finish removing Internet Explorer.

How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1

To remove Internet Explorer 11 from Windows 8.1:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Select Programs.
  3. Now pick Turn Windows Features on or off.
  4. Uncheck Internet Explorer 11 in the Windows Features dialog.
  5. Click OK.

After a reboot, you will have uninstalled Internet Explorer from Windows 8.1.

How to Reinstall Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10

If you find Internet Explorer is vital for accessing certain apps and sites, you can add it back to Windows 10.

To install Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10:

  1. Click the Start menu.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Go to Apps.
  4. Open the Apps & features category.
  5. Click or tap Optional features under Apps & features.
  6. Now choose Add a feature.
  7. Check Internet Explorer 11.
    Search: Start typing internet explorer over Find an available optional feature to limit the list to Internet Explorer.
  8. Click Install.

(How to remove and reinstall Internet Explorer 11 tested with Windows 10 Version 2004; first published September 2020, last updated July 2022)

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