Since upgrading to Windows 10, I have been unable to use Internet Explorer 11. It continues to crash or it tells me it cannot locate 'wuapp.exe' or something like that. I use certain features only available to me within IE 11 when accessing SharePoint, that Microsoft Edge has disabled currently. This is very frustrating. IE cannot be removed completely as it's an integral part of Windows. Many IE resources are used for Windows functions even when IE itself is not running. I do not think it would be appropriate for this forum to give tips on partially removing it. We exist to help with problems, not to create them.
Windows 10, the latest version of Windows operating system, ships with two web browsers: Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. While all are familiar with Internet Explorer and its shortcomings, the new Edge browser is not just the successor to Internet Explorer but it’s has been developed from scratch and it’s pretty good in terms of user interface, speed and features.
Since Microsoft Edge browser doesn’t include all the features available in other browsers like Google Chrome, and because some old websites are compatible only with Internet Explorer, Microsoft has not dropped Internet Explorer from Windows 10. Microsoft might remove Internet Explorer from future Windows 10 builds though.
That said, most of the websites work great on Edge browser and you don’t need to open Internet Explorer most of the times. If you are not using Internet Explorer on Windows 10, you might want to get rid of it.
Turning off or removing Internet Explorer 11 from Windows 10 is relatively easy thanks to Windows Features. Using it, one can enable or disable several Windows 10 features including Internet Explorer.
Users who find that having Internet Explorer is not so useful in Windows 10 can remove or disable it by following giving below directions.
Remove Internet Explorer from Windows 10
NOTE: Please note that this method will not completely remove Internet Explorer from Windows 10. The feature can be enabled again in future if and when required. To completely remove Internet Explorer, use a Windows installation customization tool such as NTLite.
Step 1: Type Control Panel in the Start menu or taskbar search box and press Enter key to launch the same. You can find all the ways out there to open Control Panel in Windows 10 by referring to our 5 ways to open Control Panel in Windows 10 guide.
Step 2: Once Control Panel is launched, click Uninstall a program to open Programs and Features.
Step 3: On the left-pane, you will see a link called Turn Windows features on or off. Click the same to open Windows Features.
Step 4: Here uncheck the box next to Internet Explorer 11 and then click OK button.
You will get the following confirmation dialog with “Turning off Internet Explorer 11 might affect other Windows features and programs installed on your computer, including default settings. Do you want to continue?” message.
Click Yes button to turn off Internet Explorer. If asked, please reboot your PC once. That’s it!
To enable the same again, follow Step 1 to Step 3, and then check the box next to Internet Explorer before clicking OK button.
Hi John,
Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.
I would like to inform that you can disable and enable Internet Explorer from below steps:
- Type Control Panel in the search box from desktop and select Control Panel.
- Click on View all in the left pane and click on Programs and Features.
- Select Turn Windows Features on or off.
- In Windows features window, uncheck the Internet Explorer program.
Also you may refer to the Microsoft article about: Change or reset Internet Explorer settings
Kindly let us know the exact issue that you are facing with Internet Explorer, we will be happy to help you.
I have Windows 10 and Internet Explorer 11 and Internet Explorer 11 will not open a web site. All I get is the 'Internet Explorer has stopped working' window. I have reset it. I have turned it off in Windows Features, restarted, and turned it back on, but it keeps doing the same thing. I have changed the home page. I have disabled all add-ons. Nothing has helped. Is there a way to uninstall and reinstall?
Thank you,
Jim Dilts