How to reset Internet Explorer?

Reset Internet Explorer to its default settings

Reset Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer reset should be considered for several reasons. Due to the fact that IE is still a popular browser, it is in the target eye of the browser hijackers, adware and other malware.

When one of such parasites affects the web browser, it seeks to prevent the elimination for as long as possible. Browser helper objects and various add-ons may be used to protect the intruder which is disturbing browsing sessions on IE.

The symptoms of the infection might include the changed homepage, the appearance of new toolbars or add-ons, redirects to various sites, increased amount of pop-up ads, etc. Restoring Internet Explorer to the default state helps you to get rid of these issues for good.

Furthermore, users using various add-ons to customize IE or change its settings may experience stability problems. Disabling or removing add-ons might not help to deal with the poor browser’s performance. If such symptoms as browser crashes and freezes have started interrupting, the IE reset is necessary.

Restoring Internet Explorer to the default state lead to irreversible changes. Your homepage and search engine will be changed to the original defaults, previously pinned tabs, extensions and themes will be disabled, customized startup tabs and New Tab page will be removed, your browsing history and cookies will be cleaned, etc.

Below you will find five different methods for resetting IE. Note. The instructions are made using IE 11; therefore, the interface or arrangement might be slightly different when using earlier versions of the Internet Explorer.

Method 1. Reset Internet Explorer with the help of “Reset Settings” option

1. Open Internet Explorer and select the Tools menu (at the top right corner). If you don’t see the Tools menu, press Alt.

Method 1. Step 1Open the browser and select Tools menu (top right corner)

2. Select Internet Options.

Method 1. Step 2When Menu window shows up, go to "Internet options"

3. Select the Advanced tab.

Method 1. Step 3Go to "Advanced" tab when in Internet Options window

4. When in Advanced tab, select Reset. If you’re using earlier IE version, such as Internet Explorer 6, click Restore Default.

Method 1. Step 4Click "Reset" button to reset Internet Explorer settings

5. Check the Delete personal settings box in the opened Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box. Then, click Reset.

Note: When you select the Delete personal settings box, your browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, Tracking Protection, and ActiveX Filtering data will be removed as well.

Method 1. Step 5Check "Delete personal settings" and click "Reset"

6. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close. Then, select OK.

Method 1. Step 6Click "Close" to finish the reset process
7. Start the IE.

Method 2. IE reset steps by using “inetcpl.cpl” command

1. Close Internet Explorer.

2. Click the Start button and find Run.

Method 2. Step 1Click "Start" and enter "run" to the search to launch the Run app

3. When in Run, type inetcpl.cpl and click OK.

Method 2. Step 2When in Run, enter inetcpl.cpl and click OK to open "Internet Properties" window

4. When Internet Properties window appears, go to the Advanced Tab and select Reset.

Method 2. Step 3Go to "Advanced" tab and click "Reset" button

5. In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialogue box, check Delete Personal Settings and click Reset.

Method 2. Step 4Select "Delete personal settings" option and click "Reset"

6. Wait until IE completes the task. Then, click Close in the reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box.

Method 2. Step 5Click "Close" and OK to finish the reset process

Method 3. Reset IE using the “System File Checker” option

1. Go to the Command Prompt (Admin).

Windows 10:

Option 1. Press Win+X -> Command Prompt (Admin) (Illustration on the right).

Option 2. Type cmd in the search bar. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator (illustration on the left).

Method 3. Step 1Go to the Command Prompt (Admin) section and open User Account Control prompt window. Click "Yes" to allow Windows Command Processor to make the changes

Windows 8/8.1: Go to: Apps screen -> Windows System -> Command Prompt.

Windows 7, Vista, or XP: Click: Start / Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt.

2. When User Account Control prompt window opens, click Yes to allow Windows Command Processor to make the changes.

3. In the command line, type “SFC /SCANNOW” and press Enter.

Method 3. Step 2Type in “SFC /SCANNOW” in the command line and press Enter

4. Wait until you see the window providing the information about found and fixed files. Internet Explorer should be on the list.

Method 4. IE reset by removing User Profiles

NOTE. This method requires modifying the registry. Incorrect modifications might lead to serious problems, so it’s very important to follow each step carefully. We also recommend you to back up the registry before making changes. Backups allow restoring the registry if problems are encounterd. Once you make backups, follow these IE reset steps:

1. Open the Registry Editor. Type in Run in the search bar and click on it.

Method 4. Step 1Type in "run" in the search bar to open the Registry Editor

2. Type regedit and click Enter. When in User Account Control box, select Yes to allow making changes on the computer.

Method 4. Step 2Type "regedit" and click Enter

3. When Registry Editor shows up, find and delete this registry key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Internet Explorer]

In the Confirm Key Delete dialogue box, click Yes to delete this key and all of its subkeys permanently.

Method 4. Step 3Find [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer] registry key and delete it

4. Then delete everything related to IE under Application Data (or AppData) and Local Settings.

Method 4. Step 4Delete everything related to IE under "AppData" and "Local Settings"

Method 5. Reinstall Internet Explorer

If none of these methods worked, try reinstalling IE. First of all, you have to uninstall IE from the computer by following these steps:

1. When in the Control Panel, go to Uninstall a Program (or Add/Remove Programs) under the Programs section.

Method 5. Step 1When in the Control Panel, go to "Uninstall a Program" option

2. Click Turn Windows features on or off on the left side.

Method 5. Step 2Click "Turn Windows features on or off"

3. Find and uncheck Internet Explorer in Windows Features window.

Method 5. Step 3When in "Windows Features" window, uncheck Internet Explorer

4. You will receive a warning that turning off IE may affect other Windows features. Click Yes and OK. Wait until Windows completes applying the changes. You may be asked to restart your computer as well.

Method 5. Step 4Click Yes and OK when "Windows Features" warning message shows up

5. After rebooting your device, Internet Explorer should be removed from your computer.

Now, you have to install IE. Here you have two options.

Option 1.
1. When in the Control Panel, go to Uninstall a Program (or Add/Remove Programs) option under the Programs section.

Method 5. Option 1. Step 1To install IE, go to "Programs" section

2. Click Turn Windows features on or off.

Method 5. Option 1. Step 2Click "Turn Windows features on or off" once again

3. Check Internet Explorer in the list and click OK. Wait until Windows finishes applying changes. You may be asked to reboot your PC as well.

Method 5. Option 1. Step 3When in "Windows Features" window, check Internet Explorer entry and click OK

4. After rebooting your device, Internet Explorer should be reinstalled on the PC.

Option 2.

Use another web browser which is installed on your computer and download IE directly from the official website.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

Alice Woods is the News Editor at 2-spyware. She has been sharing her knowledge and research data with 2spyware readers since 2014.

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