Need to Uninstall Internet Explorer 7
Before the final release of any software or application, manufacturers pre-release beta versions of the software. These pre-release versions enable product manufactures to perform software testing based on user feedback and enable them to further improve their product. For instance, Microsoft Internet Explorer was pre-released in Internet Explorer Beta 1, Beta 2, Beta 2 Preview, Beta 3 and RC1 versions. In most cases, the beta releases of software can be easily upgraded to a higher version of the software just by performing the installation of the new version. However, at times, you may face problems and errors when trying to upgrade your beta release software. If this occurs, you will first have to uninstall the beta version and then install the latest version of the software. In this article, we are going to answer some common user questions about the methods to uninstall the Internet Explorer 7 pre-release or beta version from your Windows XP or Windows 2003 system.
How can I remove Internet Explorer 7 RC1?
To remove this version of Internet Explorer 7 from your Windows XP or 2003 computer and restore Internet Explorer 6, follow the steps given below:
- Open the Start menu and select the Control Panel command.
- Next, double-click on the Add or Remove Programs option.
- Now, scroll through the Currently installed programs list, select the Windows Internet Explorer 7 option, and then select the Change/Remove button.
- Finally, complete the uninstallation by following the screen instructions.
If you are unable to locate the Windows Internet Explorer 7 option in the Currently installed programs list, then open Start menu and select Run. In the Open box, type C:\Winodws\ie7\spuninst\spuninst.exe, and then press the Enter key.
Note: Here, we are assuming the C:\Windows is the location of the Windows directory on your system.
How to uninstall Internet Explorer Beta versions, 1, 2 Preview, 2, and 3
You can uninstall Internet Explorer Beta 1, Beta 2, Beta 2 Preview, and Beta 3 by using the Add or Remove Programs option available in the Control Panel. After the uninstall process is complete, Internet Explorer 6 will be restored on your Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 computer.
If you are unable to locate the Windows Internet Explorer 7 option in the list displayed in the Add or Remove Programs window, then select the Show Updates checkbox located in the top section of the Window. Selecting this option might display the beta installations of Internet Explorer 7, which you can now select and proceed with the uninstallation process.
However, if the option to uninstall the browser is still not visible in the list, then run the following command from Start > Run. (Choose the command depending on the IE7 version on your computer. Also, before running the command, ensure that the Show hidden files and folders option is enabled on your computer.)
C:\Windows\ie7beta3\spuninst\spuninst.exe
C:\Windows$NtUninstallie7beta1$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
C:\Windows\$NtUninstallie7bet2p$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
C:\Windows\$NtUninstallie7b2pmx$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
C:\Windows\$NtUninstallie7beta2$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
What should I do when I cannot uninstall Internet Explorer either from Control Panel or by running the exe file?
In case your system stops responding during the uninstallation process, then restart your PC, and remove any customized sound schemes that you might have created after installing the beta version of IE7. After doing this try to start the uninstallation process again.
What to do if the uninstallation fails for a particular user account
In this case, you will have to manually make some changes in the registry before starting the uninstallation process. To do this, open the Registry Editor by running the regedit command and navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer.
Here, right-click on the Internet Explorer key, select the New command and then select DWORD value. Enter the key name as InstalledByUser and then exit the registry editor. Now, try to start uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 again.
Beta versions of a program usually have some inherent problems because they are still in the testing phase of product development. Due to these problems with the software, it may have to be uninstalled before installing the latest version or release of the software. You can use the methods listed here to uninstall various beta versions of Internet Explorer 7. It is recommended that after uninstallation, you use a registry cleaner software such as RegServe, to wipe out any left-over entries before you install the latest version of IE7.