How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 8 from Windows XP

You may need to uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8 from Windows XP for various reasons. In this blog post I will describe how to uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8 in a few different scenarios.

Add / Remove Method

1. Click Start then Run.
2. Type appwiz.cpl in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.

   NOTE

   The Add / Remove Programs applet should open.

4. Locate and select Windows Internet Explorer 8.
5. Click Remove to uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8.

   

6. Click Next in the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Removal Wizard window.
7. Click Finish to restart your computer and complete the uninstall process.

Command Prompt Method

1. Click Start then Run.
2. Type %systemroot%\ie8\spuninst\spuninst.exe on your keyboard.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Click Next in the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Removal Wizard window.
5. Click Finish to restart your computer and complete the uninstall process.

System Restore Method

1. Open System Restore, refer to “How to Restore Windows XP to an Earlier Time with Windows XP System Restore” blog article for directions.
2. Select Install Windows Internet Explorer 8 in the System Restore windows. Refer to Image below.

   

3. Click Next to start the System Restore process.
4. Click Next to confirm the System Restore point being used and continue the System Restore process.
5. If the System Restore is successful then a message will indicate System Restore was successful when the computer has restarted.

Safe Mode Method

Add / Remove Method

1. Click Start then Run.
2. Type appwiz.cpl in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.

   NOTE

   The Add / Remove Programs applet should open.

4. Locate and select Windows Internet Explorer 8.
5. Click Remove to uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8.

    

6. Click Next in the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Removal Wizard window.
7. Click Finish to restart your computer and complete the uninstall process.

Command Prompt Method

1. Click Start then Run.
2. Type %systemroot%\ie8\spuninst\spuninst.exe on your keyboard.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Click Next in the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Removal Wizard window.
5. Click Finish to restart your computer and complete the uninstall process.

System Restore Method

1. Start the computer in Safe Mode, refer to “How to Start Windows XP in Safe Mode” blog article for instructions.
2. Open System Restore, refer to “How to Restore Windows XP to an Earlier Time with Windows XP System Restore” blog article for directions.
3. Select Install Windows Internet Explorer 8 in the System Restore windows. Refer to Image below.

   

4. Click Next to start the System Restore process.
5. Click Next to confirm the System Restore point being used and continue the System Restore process.
6. If the System Restore is successful then a message will indicate System Restore was successful when the computer has restarted.

Recovery Console Method

1. Boot to the Windows XP Console, refer to “How to Start the Windows XP Recovery Console” blog article for instructions.
2. At the Recovery Console prompt, type CD ie8\spuninst.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type batch spuninst.txt.
5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
6. Type EXIT on your keyboard to restart the computer.
7. If you are able to login then proceed with one of the following steps:

Add / Remove Method

1. Click Start then Run.
2. Type appwiz.cpl in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.

   NOTE

   The Add / Remove Programs applet should open.

4. Locate and select Windows Internet Explorer 8
5. Click Remove to uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8.

   

6. Click Next in the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Removal Wizard window.
7. Click Finish to restart your computer and complete the uninstall process

Command Prompt Method

1. Type %systemroot%\ie8\spuninst\spuninst.exe on your keyboard.
2. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
3. Click Next in the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Removal Wizard window.
4. Click Finish to restart your computer and complete the uninstall process.

System Restore Method

1. Open System Restore, refer to “How to Restore Windows XP to an Earlier Time with Windows XP System Restore” blog article for directions.
2. Select Install Windows Internet Explorer 8 in the System Restore windows. Refer to Image below.

   

3. Click Next to start the System Restore process.
4. Click Next to confirm the System Restore point being used and continue the System Restore process.
5. If the System Restore is successful then a message will indicate System Restore was successful when the computer has restarted.

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows XP Editions

Related Articles

• How to Restore Windows XP to an Earlier Time with Windows XP System Restore
• How to Start Windows XP in Safe Mode
• How to Start the Windows XP Recovery Console
• How to perform a Windows XP Repair Install if Internet Explorer 7 or 8 Installed
• Internet Explorer 8 released today for Windows XP – March 19, 2009

Version 1.2
Edited: May 16, 2012