Windows errors related to Internet Explorer are usually generated due to damaged files or missing registration files. These errors may hamper your work by preventing you from opening Internet Explorer. Most of the time the error is displayed and the Internet Explorer window is closed, preventing you from browsing the Internet.
In this article, we will discuss the method to modify the registry in such a way that you are able to reinstall Internet Explorer. We will also discuss other methods to fix and prevent Internet Explorer problems and repair Windows errors.
Scan Protected Files
To repair Internet Explorer errors, you may need to scan all the protected files on your PC and check if they are intact. To scan the protected files, run the ‘sfc /scannow’ command. While scanning, you may be asked to provide the Windows XP or Windows XP SP 1 installation files.
Running the sfc /scannow’ command may help you repair Internet Explorer and make it error free. If this does not help, then you may have to either reinstall Windows XP or repair it by using the Windows XP or Windows XP SP 1 installation media. You can also try to reinstall Windows XP SP2 to repair the errors. You can download XP SP2 from the Microsoft Updates Website.
Reinstall Internet Explorer
Another method to repair Internet Explorer-related Windows errors is to reinstall Internet Explorer 6 on your system. However, all versions of Windows XP operating systems come with Internet Explorer 6 preinstalled, and it is not possible to uninstall or reinstall them. Therefore, if you try to install the same version of Internet Explorer the following error is generated:
Setup has detected a newer version of Internet Explorer already installed on this system. Setup cannot continue.
Most of the time, you can fix the problem by installing the latest Internet Explorer 6 service pack. You can download the service pack from the Microsoft Updates website. However, if you are already running the latest version, then you will have to reinstall the current version.
You can determine the version of your Internet Explorer by selecting the ‘About Internet Explorer’ command on the Help menu in the Internet Explorer window.
If you are already running the latest Internet Explorer 6 version, then to reinstall it, you will have to first make a few changes in the registry. Before making any changes, remember to create a registry backup. This will help you rollback the registry if something goes wrong with it while editing. You can easily do this by using a registry tool that provides registry backup and restore options.
After backing up the registry, run the regedit.exe file to open the Registry Editor. Next, navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\InstalledComponents\{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}
Here, double-click on the ‘IsInstalled’ key and change its value to from ‘1’ to ‘0’.
If you want to reinstall Outlook Express 6, which is also preinstalled, navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\InstalledComponents\{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}
Here, double-click on the ‘IsInstalled’ key and change its value to from ‘1’ to ‘0’.
After making these changes, you can easily reinstall Internet Explorer 6 and Outlook Express 6 on your Windows XP system and repair related Windows errors.
Preventing Internet Explorer Errors
Most of the Windows errors related to Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are generated due to problems with their files and registration. A damaged registry and malware such as viruses, Trojans, spyware, and adware are two major causes of these problems.
To keep your registry healthy, you can download a registry cleaner tool from the Internet. A registry cleaner tool comes equipped with a number of features that helps you keep your registry compact, healthy and free of errors. Many advanced registry cleaners also help you keep the system files and various Internet Explorer files and options intact and healthy.
You must keep your antivirus software updated with latest virus definitions and run regular antivirus scans on your system. You must also ensure that you download and install security updates and hotfixes released by Microsoft periodically.
Internet Explorer 6 and Outlook Express 6 come preinstalled with all Windows XP versions. If the number of Windows errors related to these applications increases on your system, then you may have to reinstall them. By default, it is not possible to reinstall the two applications. However, you can reinstall them by making some changes to the registry. You can prevent these and many other Windows errors by periodically running antivirus scans on your system and keeping the system up-to-date with the latest security releases by Microsoft. You may also choose to use a registry cleaner tool, to regularly scan and repair the Windows registry.