Let’s not beat around the bush here, Internet Explorer is garbage. It has been the thorn in the side for every web developer that has walked the Earth. The Internet would be a much better place without it. Now that I have that out of the way, I’ll get down to showing you how to remove Internet Explorer of any version on an platform.

Internet Explorer 6

Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

Start->Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs

Cick Add/Remove Windows Components

Locate Internet Explorer and uncheck it

Click Next and continue to follow the prompts

Note: Although this will remove all the links to Internet Explorer on your system it will not actually delete IE completely, as it is integrated with the Windows Shell it will still exist on your computer and be used for browsing files.

Chrome Frame

Our friends at Google have offered us another solution for those who cannot uninstall Internet Explorer 6. If you are not an Administrator on your system and cannot remove IE or install an alternate browser then Chrome Frame is the solution you’re looking for. After installing the plugin your browser will be able to render websites using Chrome’s engine, meaning your old and dusty copy of IE6 will be able to run HTML5 and not mangle every other site out there. How do you get this plugin? Just grab it at Google Code.

Internet Explorer 7

Windows XP and Windows Server 2000/2003

Start->Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs

Locate Internet Explorer 7 and click Remove

Note: Uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 will result in Internet Explorer 6 being restored

Windows Vista

Start->Control Panel->Programs and Features

Click View Installed Updates

Locate Internet Explorer 7 and click Uninstall

Note: If the above method does not work for you try following these steps instead:

Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\ie7\spuninst\

Run spuninst.exe

Internet Explorer 8

Windows Vista

Start->Control Panel->Programs and Features

Click View Installed Updates

Locate Internet Explorer 8 and click Uninstall

Cick OK

Click Yes when prompted

Windows 7

Start->Control Panel->Programs and Features

Click Turn Windows Features On or Off

Locate Internet Explorer 8 and uncheck it

Cick OK

Click Yes when prompted

Note: If the above method does not work for you try following these steps instead:

Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\ie8\spuninst\

Run spuninst.exe

Stopping Automatic Updates from Installing Internet Explorer 7/8

Open Internet Explorer

Click Tools then Windows Update

Select Custom

Uncheck the box beside Windows Internet Explorer 7/8 for Windows XP

Check the box beside “Don’t show this update again”

Windows will no longer try to install the newer Internet Explorer versions when doing its automatic updates.