Applies to Windows 7

Reset Internet Explorer 9 settings

You can reset Windows Internet Explorer 9 settings to return them to the state they were in when Internet Explorer was first installed on your computer.

Warning

Warning

  • Resetting Internet Explorer is not reversible. After a reset, all previous settings are lost and can't be recovered. Rather than resetting everything, you might want to reset specific settings in the Internet Options dialog box or delete your webpage history.

    For more information about deleting your browsing history, see How to manage your browsing history.

To reset Internet Explorer settings

  1. Close all Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer windows that are currently open.

  2. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button. In the search box, type Internet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.

  3. Click the Tools button Picture of the Tools button, and then click Internet options.

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

    Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, Tracking Protection, and ActiveX Filtering data.

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

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

  7. Close Internet Explorer.

    Your changes will take effect the next time you open Internet Explorer.

Notes

Notes

  • If any of the categories fail to reset, it's because Internet Explorer couldn't access a file or registry setting. This can be caused by:

    • Not having permission to make these changes. Log in using an administrator account and try resetting again.

    • Files or settings are being used by another program. Close all other programs and try resetting again.

    • Low memory. Restart your computer and try resetting again.

    • High CPU usage. Restart your computer and try resetting again.