Alright, let's dive into the process of disabling Internet Explorer on your Windows 11 system. It's a bit of a relic these days, isn't it? While it might still be lurking in the background, Windows 11 offers a straightforward way to turn it off. Follow along, and we'll get this done together!
Step 1: Open Windows Features - Let's Get Started!
First things first, we need to access the Windows Features dialog box. There are a couple of ways to do this, but here's a reliable method:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard (it usually has the Windows logo).
- Type
featuresinto the search bar that appears. - You should see an option that says "Turn Windows features on or off". Click on it.
Take a moment to let the "Windows Features" window load. It might take a few seconds to populate the list of features on your system.
Step 2: Locating and Unchecking Internet Explorer 11
Now that the "Windows Features" window is open, we need to find the entry for Internet Explorer 11.
- Scroll down through the list of features. The list is usually in alphabetical order, so look for an entry that says "Internet Explorer 11".
- Once you find it, you'll likely see a checkmark next to it. To disable Internet Explorer, simply uncheck the box next to "Internet Explorer 11".
It's important to uncheck the entire "Internet Explorer 11" entry. Don't just uncheck any sub-components that might be listed under it (though typically, there aren't many).
Step 3: Confirming Your Choice and Restarting
After unchecking the box, Windows will prompt you with a confirmation dialog.
- Read the message carefully. It will likely inform you that disabling Internet Explorer might affect other programs or features that rely on it (although this is increasingly rare in modern Windows).
- Click "Yes" to proceed with disabling Internet Explorer 11.
- Next, click the "OK" button at the bottom of the "Windows Features" window.
Windows will now start the process of applying the changes. You might see a progress bar indicating that it's making the necessary modifications to your system files.
Step 4: Restart Your Computer - The Final Step
Once the changes are complete, Windows will prompt you to restart your computer.
- It's crucial to restart your computer at this point. This ensures that the changes are fully applied and that Internet Explorer is completely disabled.
- Click "Restart now" when prompted.
After your computer restarts, Internet Explorer 11 should be effectively disabled. You won't find it in your Start Menu, and attempts to open it through older shortcuts or links might fail or redirect you to Microsoft Edge.
Alternative Method: Using PowerShell (For the More Tech-Savvy)
For those who prefer using the command line, you can also disable Internet Explorer 11 using PowerShell. Here's how:
-
Press the Windows key and type
powershell. -
Right-click on "Windows PowerShell" in the search results and select "Run as administrator".
-
In the elevated PowerShell window, type or paste the following command:
PowerShellDisable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Internet-Explorer-Optional -
Press Enter to execute the command.
-
PowerShell will process the command, and you might see some progress information.
-
Once the command completes, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Using PowerShell can be a faster method for some, but ensure you run PowerShell as an administrator for the command to work correctly.
Verifying That Internet Explorer is Disabled
After restarting your computer, you can quickly check if Internet Explorer has been successfully disabled:
- Press the Windows key and type
Internet Explorer. - You should not see "Internet Explorer" as a top result. If you do, and it still opens, you might need to repeat the steps. However, in most cases, it will be gone.
- You can also try searching for
iexplore.exein File Explorer. If it's disabled, attempting to run it directly might result in an error or a redirection to Microsoft Edge.
Congratulations! You've successfully disabled Internet Explorer 11 on your Windows 11 system.
Frequently Asked Questions (How to...)
How to find the "Turn Windows features on or off" option?
You can find it by pressing the Windows key, typing features, and clicking on the result.
How to uncheck the box next to "Internet Explorer 11"?
Simply click on the checkmark that appears next to the "Internet Explorer 11" entry in the "Windows Features" window.
How to confirm the changes after unchecking Internet Explorer?
Click "Yes" on the confirmation dialog and then "OK" at the bottom of the "Windows Features" window.
How to restart my computer after disabling Internet Explorer?
You will be prompted to restart. Click "Restart now". You can also manually restart from the Start Menu.
How to use PowerShell to disable Internet Explorer?
Open PowerShell as administrator and run the command: Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Internet-Explorer-Optional. Then, restart your computer.
How to run PowerShell as an administrator?
Press the Windows key, type powershell, right-click on "Windows PowerShell", and select "Run as administrator".
How to verify if Internet Explorer is disabled?
Search for "Internet Explorer" in the Start Menu. It should not appear as a readily available application.
How to re-enable Internet Explorer if needed?
Follow the same steps as disabling, but this time, check the box next to "Internet Explorer 11" in the "Windows Features" window and restart your computer.
How to know if disabling Internet Explorer will affect other programs?
While increasingly rare, some older applications might rely on Internet Explorer components. If you encounter issues with specific programs after disabling it, you might need to re-enable it.
How to ensure Internet Explorer is completely gone after disabling?
After restarting, try searching for iexplore.exe in File Explorer. Attempting to run it should either fail or redirect you to Microsoft Edge, indicating it's disabled.