The question came up if the installation of Internet Explorer 9 affects another version of Internet Explorer on the operating system. The answer to that question was yes: Internet Explorer 9 replaces an older version of Internet Explorer during installation.
Some users may have installed the beta of IE9 without knowing that, and some may want to go back to a previous version of Internet Explorer after testing the beta release on their computer.
The following guide explains how to uninstall Internet Explorer 9 from the operating system. The test system we used for this guide was a Windows 7 Professional system, keep in mind that it may look slightly different on Vista.
Windows Internet Explorer 9 has been installed as a system update in the operating system, and as such can be removed from the Uninstall an update control panel menu.
To get there click the start orb in the lower left corner of the screen, and then Control Panel in the right menu.
control panel
Locate Uninstall a program in the Control Panel and click on the entry.
uninstall a program
Windows populates a listing with all programs that have been installed by the user of the system. As we have mentioned earlier, Internet Explorer 9 is not installed as a program, but as an update. It is for that reason not listed among the programs.
To uninstall Internet Explorer 9 click the View Installed Updates link in the upper left corner of the screen. This opens a listing of Microsoft updates that have been installed on the computer system.
uninstall internet explorer
It may take a while before all updates are displayed in the list. Now it is time to locate the Microsoft Windows, and there the Windows Internet Explorer 9 entry. You can sort the listing by name or date, to make the identification easier.
uninstall windows internet explorer
Right-click on Windows Internet Explorer 9 and select uninstall from the context menu.
uninstall ie9
This initiates the uninstallation of the browser from the system. From that point on, follow the instructions to uninstall the browser. To complete the uninstallation, the computer needs to be restarted in the end.
After the restart open up Internet Explorer and click on Help > About Internet Explorer to verify that the old version of the browser is available again. You will probably notice that it is by looking at the design as well.
That’s how you uninstall Internet Explorer 9 from the Windows operating system. Please note that this instructions are for the beta of the browser. It is likely that it will also apply to the final release of Windows Internet Explorer 9. This tutorial will be updated otherwise once the final browser version is released by Microsoft.
Related Articles:
Uninstall Microsoft Internet Explorer 8Uninstall Internet Explorer 8
Uninstall Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 Completely
Can You Remove Internet Explorer 8 From Windows 7?
How To Uninstall Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Beta
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Thanks a lot ;o)
I updated to ie9 and within two days noticed something was wrong. Could not get into my wordpress or my business account. Thanks to these instructions, I am back in business. NOONE should every release a product to the public they don’t know will work correclty—to me that’s just bad business.
Thanks for this, I can’t believe how completely stupid the IE9 dev team is to have a BETA install overwrite a stable one.
thanks!
I downloaded IE9 Beta last night and I already have an annoying glitch that interferes with my productivity and want to uninstall the program.
I am using Windows 7 on a Sony Vaio and the issue is that when I close an app (windows live) or close a toolbar (ie disable/enable toolbar within IE) the remnants of said action is left hanging on my screen.
For e.g. I signed out of Windows Live and now the “sign out” action button is stuck on my home screen and it appears no matter what page I am on.
I tried to uninstall IE9 but it does not even show up on the downloaded updates or on the uninstall program. What a piece of **** Microsoft has put out so far.
I like the possibility but this is not going to work.
Does anyone have a further suggestion, short of restoring my computer?
Thanks
I got vista but same dilemma !! Its sooo freakin irritating and dont know what to do anymoree! Ugh
I know I have exactly the same issue, I’m using mozilla firefox as I cannot find IE9 on my uninstall programs list too! Trouble is I need IE for my Security Software for my updates, please let me know if there is anyway of getting around it too!
Thanks!
I have windows7 with IE9 how do I uninstal IE9beta and go back to IE8.
IE9 isn’t showing up in my “programs” for uninstall, i’ve restarted the computer twice, but it’s just not there. Any idea how to get it on that list???
Should have included that i’m on W7 Home Premium
John, have you sorted the updates by name or date? Can you confirm that it is definitely not in the Uninstall an update listing? I had to scroll down in the listing as well to find it.
Hi Martin,
I’m having a problem with going back to 8 also. I have done the uninstall thing but my computer says that it cannot uninstall it. I can’t stand 9. I have tried everything to get back my 8.
Don’t know what else to do
Your best bet is to contact Microsoft about it. I’m not aware of an option to force uninstall Internet Explorer 9. I’d say you could try Revo Uninstaller or another program that cleans up leftovers but that would be awful risky considering the deep integration of Internet Explorer in the system.
Don’t bother with Microsoft… they are of no help! GOTO IE9…. GOTO about… Look for version number and at the end of that you will see something like this “KB245#####”. That is the update for your browser.. It may be listed as a security update. Uninstall it and restart if needed… Recheck for next KB# to uninstall till you have killed it off completely! This may take some time… Sorry but only way I know. Good luck :)
thanks! way helpful. Installed to ck if things worked on on book price comparison website [which specializes in add-ons which allow book price checks on the fly] (www.BargainBookMole.org) and found IE 9 screwed up IE!
so this is very helopful!! thanks!
Thanks — Great of them to change the method! This version is a piece of crap. It installed it and it keeps crashing. Back to the Chrome browser for me.
that’s for posting, IE9 had a few bugs in it that were driving me nuts!
wow all you idiots commenting obviously have no idea what a beta is.
Matt, you pompous little ****, we do know what a beta version is. The problem is that beta versions are supposed to be uninstallable/revert back to a previous version.
In Windows 7 Home Premium in my case it is nowhere to be found so that it can be uninstalled and reinstalled at a later date.
Chris do you know why when I uninstall Explorer 9 that it says that it has not uninstalled the whole program? I really can’t stand this 9 I have lost ALL my bookmarks (favourites) I want my 8 back but 9 will not uninstall
Thanks, Dannielle
yuk! Thanks for the help on uninstalling this ugly piece of sheet!!!
You don’t know how much i appreciate getting rid of it!
i was actually ready to give up, after my computer crashed every 10 minutes for about 5 hours right after the explorer 9 update. i have a windows 7 ultimate, with more then enough memory and more then enough of EVERYTHING. my computer just hated this version. i sent a feedback to microsoft , and it seems that im not the only one that hates it. i hope that the full verision will be better tested before being put out. this is an F for FAIL.
BIG THANKS FOR THIS POST, SAVED ME FROM GOING INSANE!
BIG PS at the one that called us idiots. im sure all of us know what a beta is. but for u to call US idiots, makes u an @ss! not only that but ITS OUR COMMENTS TO THEM THAT MAKES THE BETA BETTER. if WE cant express our opinions about an update that obviously is HORRID, then whats the point? instead of calling others idiots- look at urself first please, as u ASSumed that we are ignorants, thus making an @ss out of urself by not understanding that IT IS OUR OPINIONS THAT MAKE A BETA BETTER. they can have as many updated beta’s as they want, but untill i see at least have the people RAVING about it(instead of ranting), IE 9- WILL NOT exist anywhere on my computer
Thanks!
Anyone that installs a BETA of anything without understanding that there is a chance you will not be able to remove it properly, upgrade to the final version properly, or totally render your system useless is an idiot.. sorry. Maybe you are not so familiar with what beta actually means because companies like google put that tag on full production software for years before removing it, even when its in general public use, but that certainly is not the case with IE9.
Betas ship WITH KNOWN BUGS, and with unknown bugs. They offer no guarantees installing it won’t make your computer burst into flames. It is all at your own risk.
In any event, the people I am specifically calling idiots are the ones who are acting like this is a final release that doesn’t work well.
Oh and who are you to say we are idiots when you are reading this? It just goes to say if we are idiots, you are more idiotic than us to only call us idiots and not yourself.Besides if you were that smart and knew the risks why did you install it?
thx
Thanks :) helped a lot.
Thanks a lot. I installed it but did not play nice with Citrix Remote Access, so I had to remove it.
Mine was listed under the regular “uninstall a program” and was listed as “Windows Internet Explorer Platform Preview”.
THANKS DUDE :::1!!!!
REEALY IWAS IN TROBLE I
INSTAALLLED IT
IN THE WRONG LANGUAGE
SO THANKS :))
thanks for the help, IE9 is utter garbage, it even crashes constantly on MSN LOL.
Ms fail as always,
besides it looks like it was made for pre-school users
For those who can’t find “Windows Internet Explorer9″ in the regular “Uninstall a Program” list, click on the “View Installed Updates” over on the left of the window, should be right above “Turn Windows Features On or Off”
This is where it was for my machine in Windows7 Pro.
I doubt anyone got confused by this, but the start orb is at the lower left, not lower right…
John, it sounds like you had the same problem I had with IE9 and my computer either downloaded an update/fix for the issue or it just resolved the problem by itself.
I was not able to ever find the IE9 program to uninstall and was about ready to revert my computer to an earlier time. However, one of the issues which I had (e.g. signed out of Windows Live, or the status of a toolbar change remaining on my screen had disappeared).
I then went back into the uninstall programs after several normal shutdowns over a few days; organized the installed updates and it now appears under the Microsoft Windows Update and is listed as “Windows Internet Explorer 9″.
I swear to you that this was never there before and now it just appears. You may want to shutdown your computer, make sure it is set for updates or check for updates, and then go back to your installed updates and click the organize button which will put youe IE9 up toward the top of your Windows updates. Mine is the third one down from Windows updates.
Hope this helps. So strange that my Beta works pretty much fine now, just a few lags when opening a page (e.g. page does not load w/o a refresh) and just a few minor issues I have with the layout or options that I would like fixed/reverted back to IE8 but otherwise it is a much more stable platform now.
Thank you Chris!!!!!!!!!!!
The restart is crucial. It will appear after that.
Thks !!
Thanks !!!!!
Very useful !!!!!
Very easy to follow instructions!!!! Thanks so much for the info :)
Thx for the information. Installed IE9 on one of my office systems in advance of client requests. To my dismay, the browser is now in a never ending “Stopped Working / Close Program” loop. Needless to say I do not have a browser. I have a mess. Should know better about betas but client demands were pushing the envelope.
thanks this is use fulll………..Info……………..
Thanks. You kick major butt. IE9 Beta does not. :-/
I wunt to uninstall !E!9 but it doesnt show on my list! It keeps crushing and i wuna go back to the older version but i cant i need to uninstall 9. how can i get rid of this piss of crapp?????
I tried to uninstall IE9 for my colleague but it was not visible under Uninstall or change a program or under Uninstall an update.
Same problem when I looked at my computer. We both have Windows 7 Enterprise 64bit and 32bit.