HomeDiscover WindowsProducts
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows phone
ShopDownloadsHelp & How-to
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows phone
Windows CommunityContact Support
Windows Vista Help homeTop solutionsUsing Windows VistaCommunity & forumsContact support

Applies to these editions of Windows Vista:

Compare editions

What should I do if Internet Explorer 8 doesn’t start?

The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 8.

When upgrading from Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer 8 might open and then immediately close. This can happen if some settings were corrupt before the upgrade. To correct this problem, you'll need to uninstall Internet Explorer 8 and reinstall Internet Explorer 7, reset the Internet Explorer 7 settings, and then reinstall Internet Explorer 8.

Show all

To uninstall Internet Explorer 8 and reinstall Internet Explorer 7

  1. Open Programs and Features by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Programs and Features.

  2. In the left pane, click View installed updates.

  3. Select Internet Explorer 8, and then click Uninstall. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to uninstall Internet Explorer 8.

  5. When you're done, restart Windows.

To reset Internet Explorer 7 automatically

Resetting Internet Explorer can affect some settings, such as your home page, add-ons, or cookie settings. For more information, see Reset Internet Explorer 7 settings.

  1. Click this link:

    Reset Internet Explorer settings

    Picture of a Fix it button‌

  2. In the File Download dialog box, click Run, and then follow the steps in the wizard.

  3. In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset.

  4. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click Close again.

  5. Close and restart Internet Explorer.

Note

Note

If you close all windows but still get an error message when you try to reset Internet Explorer 7, you might have programs running that aren't visible. Restart Windows, open Internet Explorer, and try resetting again.

To reset Internet Explorer 7 settings manually

Resetting Internet Explorer can affect some settings, such as your home page, add-ons, or cookie settings. For more information, see Reset Internet Explorer 7 settings.

  1. Close any Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer windows that are currently open.

  2. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Internet Explorer.

  3. Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.

  4. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.

  5. In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset.

  6. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, click OK, and then click OK.

  7. Close and restart Internet Explorer.

Note

Note

If you close all windows but still get an error message when you try to reset Internet Explorer 7, you might have programs running that aren't visible. Restart Windows, open Internet Explorer, and try resetting again.

Install Internet Explorer 8

Was this helpful?What's this?
Thank you.
Do you want to add anything else?
Thank you. Your feedback helps us to continually improve our content.
1200 400 How can we make this more helpful for you? Submit Skip this Do you want to add anything else? Submit No thanks