How to uninstall Internet Explorer 8

This article describes how to uninstall Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.

You can also run the Microsoft FIX IT Utility to run the following steps.

Known issue You might receive the following message when you run this Fix it:

A Service Pack or Windows Update is blocking the 'Fix it' from uninstalling Internet Explorer 8.

This occurs if Internet Explorer 8 is set as not removable. This can occur if you install Internet Explorer 8 before you install Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP. If this scenario applies to you, then you must uninstall SP3 before you can uninstall Internet Explorer 8. For more information about this issue, click the following article to in the Knowledge Base:

Unable to uninstall Internet Explorer 7 or 8 after installing Service Pack 3

Manual Steps for Windows XP or for Windows Server 2003

Method 1

1. Close all programs except Windows.
2. Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl, and then click OK.
3. In the list of currently installed programs, click Windows Internet Explorer 8 , and then click Remove.
4. Follow the instructions to uninstall Internet Explorer 8. When the uninstall program is finished, restart your computer.

Verify that your earlier version of Internet Explorer was restored.

Note: If Windows Internet Explorer 8 does not appear in the list of installed updates, please try Method 2.

Alternative steps for Windows XP or for Windows Server 2003

Method 2

1. Carefully select and then copy the following command:
   %windir%\ie8\spuninst\spuninst.exe
2. Click Start, click Run, type cmd.exe, and then press ENTER.
3. Right-click inside the cmd.exe window, and then click Paste to paste the command that you copied in step 1.
4. Press ENTER to uninstall Internet Explorer 8. When the uninstall program is finished, restart your computer.

Verify that your earlier version of Internet Explorer was restored.

Steps for Windows Vista

Method 1

1. Close all programs except Windows.
2. Click Start, type appwiz.cpl in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
3. In the Tasks pane, click View installed updates.
4. In the list of installed updates, double-click Windows Internet Explorer 8.
5. In the Uninstall an update dialog box, click Yes.
   Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
6. Follow the instructions to uninstall Internet Explorer 8. When the uninstall program is finished, restart your computer.

Verify that your earlier version of Internet Explorer was restored.

Note: If Windows Internet Explorer 8 does not appear in the list of installed updates, please try Method 2.

Alternative steps for Windows Vista

Method 2

1. Carefully select and then copy the following command:
   FORFILES /P %WINDIR%\servicing\Packages /M Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer-8*.mum /c 'cmd /c echo Uninstalling package @fname && start /w pkgmgr /up:@fname /norestart'
2. Click Start, and then type cmd.exe in the Start Search box.
3. In the list of programs, right-click Cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator.
   Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
4. Right-click inside the Administrator: Command Prompt window, and then click Paste to paste the command that you copied in step 1.
5. Press ENTER to uninstall Internet Explorer 8. When the uninstall program is finished, restart your computer.

Verify that your earlier version of Internet Explorer was restored.