Editing Removal of Internet Explorer

{{Short description|Process of removing Internet Explorer}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
The idea of the '''removal of Internet Explorer''' (IE) from [[Windows]] was proposed during the ''[[United States v. Microsoft Corp. (2001)|United States v. Microsoft Corp.]]'' case. Later, security advocates{{Who|date = January 2014}} took up the idea as a way to protect Windows systems from attacks via IE [[Security vulnerability|vulnerabilities]].

The process of removing [[Internet Explorer]] from a personal computer has changed over the browser's version history, but the nature of many of its upgrades and installation methods has been a matter of public interest. The first version to be included was [[Internet Explorer 2|version 2]] with [[Windows 95]] in late 1996. Later, users who upgraded to IE3 (which came out in 1996), could still use the last IE, because the installation converted the previous version to a separate directory.<ref>"By having IE3 rename your previous version, Microsoft gives you a fallback in case IE3 crashes. IE3 also scans for Netscape bookmarks and converts them to IE3 favorites." [https://archive.today/20120630010046/http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/2801/internet-explorer-30.html]</ref> However, Internet Explorer 4 created a controversy with its shell integration with [[Windows Explorer]]. With later versions, removal (or inability to do so) became more complicated. With the release of [[Internet Explorer 7]], shell integration began being reduced, such as changing [[ActiveX]] hosting and a different look than Windows Explorer.

It was proposed that a special version of [[Windows 7]], Windows 7 E, would be shipped without Internet Explorer in Europe as a result of [[European Union Microsoft competition case|EU antitrust investigations]] against Microsoft.<ref name="Win7PreOrder">{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/offers/pre-order.aspx|title=Windows 7 Pre-Order Offer|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=July 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819180937/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/shop/windows-7|archive-date=August 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BBCNoIEWin7">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8096701.stm|title=No IE onboard Windows 7 in Europe|date=June 12, 2009|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=July 15, 2009|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731035213/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8096701.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ArsTechnicaNoIEWIn7">{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/06/windows-7-to-be-shipped-in-europe-sans-internet-explorer.ars|title=Windows 7 to be shipped in Europe without Internet Explorer|date=June 11, 2009|publisher=[[Ars Technica]]|access-date=July 15, 2009|archive-date=September 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901162157/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2009/06/windows-7-to-be-shipped-in-europe-sans-internet-explorer/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GuardianNoIEWin7">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2009/jun/12/windows-7-internet-explorer|title=European version of Windows 7 will not include browser|last=John|first=Bobbie|date=June 12, 2009|publisher=[[guardian.co.uk]]|access-date=July 15, 2009|archive-date=February 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218225559/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2009/jun/12/windows-7-internet-explorer|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in July 2009, Microsoft canceled the Windows 7 E editions due to negative reactions from computer manufacturers.<ref name="neowin-noE">{{cite web|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-scraps-windows-7-e-version-for-europe|title=Microsoft scraps Windows 7 'E' version for Europe|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=August 1, 2009|publisher=Neowin|access-date=August 1, 2009|archive-date=September 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911021519/http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-scraps-windows-7-e-version-for-europe|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Microsoft released [[Microsoft Edge Legacy|Microsoft Edge [Legacy]]] based on [[EdgeHTML]] on launch along with [[Windows 10]]. Later, in 2020 a [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]]-based [[Microsoft Edge|[New] Edge]] was released and replaced IE's status as the default browser in Windows 10. IE 11 is still available and preinstalled on Windows 10, but users setting up their computers for the first time have to actively seek it from the Windows Accessories folder in the Start menu since it is not pinned to the taskbar by default.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/microsoft-edge#qPIJ6ZYCTVqSpM44.97|website=microsoft.com|publisher=Microsoft|title=Microsoft Edge|access-date=March 5, 2017|archive-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115163149/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/microsoft-edge#qPIJ6ZYCTVqSpM44.97|url-status=live}}</ref> The main reason for keeping Internet Explorer in Windows 10 is to run websites based on legacy HTML technologies which are not or improperly supported in [[Microsoft Edge (series of web browsers)|Microsoft Edge]].

On May 19, 2021, Microsoft announced that Internet Explorer will be no longer supported on June 15, 2022{{efn|Retirement does not affect Windows 10 [[Long-term support|LTSC]] or their [[Windows Server|Server counterparts']] Internet Explorer 11 desktop applications. [[MSHTML]] (Trident) engine was also unaffected.}} and as part of transition, '''IE mode''' will be available on the new Microsoft Edge which allows launch older ActiveX controls and legacy websites until at least 2029.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lyndersay|first=Sean|date=May 19, 2021|title=The future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2021/05/19/the-future-of-internet-explorer-on-windows-10-is-in-microsoft-edge/|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2021|website=Windows Experience Blog|language=en-US|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519170326/https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2021/05/19/the-future-of-internet-explorer-on-windows-10-is-in-microsoft-edge/}}</ref> Internet Explorer was removed upon the release of [[Windows 11]], although it was disabled and some of its files are still stored in Windows' [[Program Files]] folder. Users that are trying to run <code>iexplore.exe</code> via [[Run command]] will be redirected to Microsoft Edge.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=June 21, 2021|title=Windows 11 is deleting Internet Explorer|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/25/22550714/microsoft-windows-11-internet-explorer-disabled|url-status=live|access-date=June 22, 2021|website=[[The Verge]]|language=en|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625191016/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/25/22550714/microsoft-windows-11-internet-explorer-disabled}}</ref> Additionally, if it is run for the first time since the release of Edge Chromium, IE11 will now open a new tab that redirects to Edge's website, with a notice that "some websites no longer support Internet Explorer". Internet Explorer is also disabled on Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel after installing the February 14, 2023 security update. Visual references of the browser were originally designated to be removed on Windows 10 on June 13, 2023,<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=2022-06-13 |title=Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ |url=https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/internet-explorer-11-desktop-app-retirement-faq/ba-p/2366549 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613223618/https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/internet-explorer-11-desktop-app-retirement-faq/ba-p/2366549 |archive-date=2022-06-13 |access-date=2022-06-13 |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> however on May 19, 2023, Microsoft withdrew the change due to objection by organizations.<ref name=":0" /> 

Since mid-2023, around a year after IE was retired, the [[MSN.com|MSN website]] has removed all compatibility with Internet Explorer, resulting in a fallback experience on IE11.

== Overview ==
Internet Explorer comes as an integrated component of Windows that cannot be uninstalled. Newer versions of Internet Explorer are sometimes released for existing operating systems, replacing the older version. Optionally, users may later choose to revert this upgrade. Starting with [[Windows 2000]], it is possible to disable Internet Explorer: The user can no longer launch it but its [[web browser engine]] remains operational for applications that use it.

This is not unique to Windows: [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]], the default browser on [[macOS]], is similarly integrated into the operating system. While it is possible to delete the application itself without problem, Safari is in fact merely a front-end for Apple's [[Open-source license|open source]] [[WebKit]] framework, which is heavily integrated into the operating system and cannot be removed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webkit.org/ |title=The WebKit Open Source Project |publisher=Webkit.org |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-date=May 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501222146/http://webkit.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The idea of removing Internet Explorer was proposed during the ''[[United States v. Microsoft Corp. (2001)|United States v. Microsoft Corp.]]'' case. One of Microsoft's arguments during the trial, however, was that removing Internet Explorer from Windows may result in system instability.<ref name="FindingsOfFacts">{{cite web| url=http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f3800/msjudgex.htm| title=U.S. v. Microsoft: Court's Findings of Fact| access-date=May 12, 2005| publisher=United States Department of Justice| date=November 5, 2005| archive-date=June 15, 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615023819/http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f3800/msjudgex.htm| url-status=live}}</ref>

== Definition ==
It is unclear what it means to "remove IE" because such a removal depends on being able to determine which files or functions on an installed Windows system are part of IE — that is, to draw a line between IE and the rest of Windows. Microsoft has held that this is not meaningful; that in Windows 98 and newer versions, "Internet Explorer" is not a separate piece of software but simply a [[brand]] name for the web browsing and HTML rendering capacities of the Windows operating system. In this view, the result of removing IE is simply a damaged Windows system; to have a working system without IE one must replace Windows entirely.{{cn|date=March 2020}}

In contrast, some programmers and security writers have held that it is possible to have a useful and working Windows system with IE excised. These people include consultant Fred Vorck, who advocates that consumers should have the choice to remove "integrated" features of Microsoft Windows<ref name="vorck1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.vorck.com/windows/2ksp5.html#download-ie6 |title=Windows 2000 SP5 (And IE free, if you like) |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-date=January 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130032753/http://www.vorck.com/windows/2ksp5.html#download-ie6 |url-status=live }}</ref> and participates in the [[HFSLIP]] project; Dino Nuhagic, who is the creator of [[nLite]], a product that allows users to remove Windows components like Internet Explorer and [[Windows Media Player]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msfn.org/ |title=MSFN - Where People Go To Know |publisher=Msfn.org |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916124009/http://www.msfn.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Shane Brooks, who created [[98lite]] and [[XPLite]] to remove and manage Windows components<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.litepc.com/ |title=LitePC Technologies |publisher=Litepc.com |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127103337/http://www.litepc.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> after the installation of the operating system. Some people have suggested the use of alternative browsers instead of Internet Explorer, to try reduce the risk of vulnerabilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?editorialsID=439 |title=Redmond &#124; Feature Article: Time to Dump IE? |publisher=Redmondmag.com |access-date=September 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514070352/http://redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?editorialsid=439 |archive-date=May 14, 2008 }}</ref>

== Methods ==
Methods have been developed by these programmers and others to remove Internet Explorer from Windows 95 after installing,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wp.netscape.com/browsers/using/ieusers/start/removing.html |title=AOL.com - Netscape |publisher=Netscape.com |access-date=March 5, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020702214457/http://wp.netscape.com/browsers/using/ieusers/start/removing.html |archive-date=July 2, 2002}} Archived copy retrieved from [https://archive.org/ Internet Archive].</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q192852 |title=How to Remove Internet Explorer and Outlook Express from your Computer |publisher=Support.microsoft.com |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-date=November 11, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111003140/http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q192852 |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as before install time.<ref>{{cite web |author-first=Nathan |author-last=Lineback |url=http://toastytech.com/evil/lab.html |title=Nathan's MAD IE De-integration Lab |publisher=Toastytech.com |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-date=October 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006011351/http://toastytech.com/evil/lab.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Removing Internet Explorer from Windows 2000,<ref name="vorck1" /> Windows XP and Windows Server 2003<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nliteos.com/ |title=nLite - Deployment Tool for the bootable Unattended Windows installation |publisher=Nliteos.com |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915122148/http://www.nliteos.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hfslip.org/ |title=TommyP's HFSLIP |publisher=Hfslip.org |access-date=September 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913051543/http://hfslip.org/ |archive-date=September 13, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is also possible at installation time.

Australian computer scientist Shane Brooks demonstrated that [[Windows 98]] could in fact run with Internet Explorer removed. Brooks made his work available as a freeware removal utility called IEradicator, which removes all versions of IE from all versions of [[Windows 9x]], but leaving the rendering engine and some other components behind for application compatibility.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/IEradicator.shtml|title = IEradicator 2001|website = [[Softpedia]]|publisher = SoftNews|access-date = January 21, 2014|date = March 24, 2003|archive-date = January 22, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140122132310/http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/IEradicator.shtml|url-status = live}}</ref> Brooks went on to develop a more sophisticated program for Windows 98 and [[Windows ME]], marketed as [[98lite]], which turns IE, along with several other "mandatory" Windows components, including the IE components left behind by IEradicator, into optional components that can be added or removed from the OS at will. He later created [[XPLite]], which renders many parts of Windows 2000 and XP into optional components. Both of Brooks's programs can remove IE after the installation of the operating system.

Another programmer named Bruce Jensen published a similar utility called "Revenge of Mozilla", which was freeware and removed many other Windows 98 components identified as "[[bloatware]]" or as being of questionable value. Although Revenge of Mozilla asked the user to supply some files from the Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 version of the Windows Explorer shell (necessary for compatibility with the FAT32 file system) that did not have the "Windows Desktop Update" that came with Internet Explorer 4/Windows 98. As a result of the shell replacement, Windows used significantly fewer resources than normal, the shell didn't leak resources like Windows 98's version did, and Windows crashed less. In 98Lite, using Explorer from Windows 95 OSR 2 was optional.

There are other methods of removing IE based on modifying the Windows installation process so that IE is never installed in the first place. [[98lite]] can be used in this way. A method developed by Fred Vorck manually alters the setup scripts for Windows 2000 to prevent the installation of IE.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vorck.com/windows/ |title=Vorck's Windows 2000 Repository |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-date=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412085708/http://www.vorck.com/windows/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His process has been automated as a feature of [[HFSLIP]]. [[nLite]] and [[HFSLIP]] are automated programs that allow users to modify the Windows installation process, both to incorporate patches and updates and to exclude IE and many other Windows components from installation as desired.

== Impacts ==
Removing Internet Explorer does have a number of consequences. Some programs bundled with Windows, such as [[Outlook Express]], and some basic Windows components, such as [[Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center|Help and Support]], depend on libraries installed by IE in order to function. Before [[Windows Vista]], it was not possible to run [[Windows Update]] without IE because the service used ActiveX technology, which no other web browser supports. With IE removed they fail to work, either partially or entirely. In addition, [[Internet Explorer shell|third-party web browsers based on MSHTML engine]] require IE and stop working without it.

== Notes ==
{{Noteslist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Internet Explorer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Removal Of Internet Explorer}}
[[Category:Internet Explorer]]