Completely removing Internet Explorer

[Blind Masseur]

Well, I've already disabled access to it, and removed it using the add/remove windows components functions, but IE is still used in Windows Update (I'm told) and Hotmail (I've seen), also in pop-ups from adware, but that isn't much of a problem for me because I don't get adware.

Anyways, seeing as I have no desire to ever have windows update run on my computer at any point in time, and I would rather hotmail use my default browser (firefox) to open sites, is there any way to further remove IE beyond what I have done? Thanks.

[Raddy]

I wouldn't recommend it, because I've encountered some sites (mainly Microsoft) that will--forgive the phrase--bitch about you using firefox and require you to open up internet explorer in order to view them.

[jason.b.c]

Well, I've already disabled access to it, and removed it using the add/remove windows components functions, but IE is still used in Windows Update (I'm told) and Hotmail (I've seen), also in pop-ups from adware, but that isn't much of a problem for me because I don't get adware.

Anyways, seeing as I have no desire to ever have windows update run on my computer at any point in time, and I would rather hotmail use my default browser (firefox) to open sites, is there any way to further remove IE beyond what I have done? Thanks.

@ Blind

Now you are my kind of forum member..!

well here ya go , this==> http://www.litepc.com/ is supposed to be able to completely remove that pesky,weak, inferior internet exploder once and for all... :D :D

now , if i can just get you talked into using Linux...

laterz.....

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Welcome to the Windows Forum.

Anyways, seeing as I have no desire to ever have windows update run on my computer at any point in time, and I would rather hotmail use my default browser (firefox) to open sites, is there any way to further remove IE beyond what I have done? Thanks.

Are you then updating your Windows installation by other means (AutoUpdate)? I hope so, otherwise you will soon run into some security problems.

Firefox, by the way, has no problem running Microsoft Update (http://www.update.microsoft.com/).

[Blind Masseur]

I wouldn't recommend it, because I've encountered some sites (mainly Microsoft) that will--forgive the phrase--bitch about you using firefox and require you to open up internet explorer in order to view them.

The people who made those sites deserve to die in a fire, and I will just refrain from using them.

well here ya go , this==> http://www.litepc.com/ is supposed to be able to completely remove that pesky,weak, inferior internet exploder once and for all... :D :D

now , if i can just get you talked into using Linux...

laterz.....

Thanks, and I use to have a Win/Linux dual-boot when I was working (in the computer field) but since then I have had no need for my computer beyond music, games, and instant messenging, all of which are easier in windows (just because they are built for windows, sadly), so I've stopped.

Are you then updating your Windows installation by other means (AutoUpdate)? I hope so, otherwise you will soon run into some security problems.

Firefox, by the way, has no problem running Microsoft Update (http://www.update.microsoft.com/).

No I am not updating windows in any manner. I don't have any security issues, and the only other thing I use my PC for beyond what was listed above is torrenting, and the more security I have, the worse my speeds (this is also largely due to having a really god awful ISP). I am aware that windows update will work in firefox; however there are certain reasons why I would want my system to not be updated aswell. Thanks for the concern though.

Mental note: I always seem to get people concerned about security whenever I discuss my own lack of it.

[CurlyWhirly]

Are you then updating your Windows installation by other means (AutoUpdate)? I hope so, otherwise you will soon run into some security problems.

I agree.

A few years ago I stupidly turned automatic updates off and got infected with the MS Blaster worm and so whenever I went online, my PC would shut down and reboot a few minutes later!

[jason.b.c]

well if everyone will notice , this user/member aready stated that he/she has no desire to update at all..

[Blind Masseur]

Thank you.

A few years ago I stupidly turned automatic updates off and got infected with the MS Blaster worm and so whenever I went online, my PC would shut down and reboot a few minutes later!

And how exactly did you get that? Did it involve any of the following: torrenting, music, instant messenging? Because that is pretty much all I'm doing with my computer.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Being connected to the Internet is all it takes to potentially get infected. I hope you have a good firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware installed. But these also need to be kept up-to-date, otherwise they become useless within a short period of time.

[CurlyWhirly]

well if everyone will notice , this user/member aready stated that he/she has no desire to update at all..

I did notice that but was just highlighting the risks of not updating the O/S

A few years ago I stupidly turned automatic updates off and got infected with the MS Blaster worm and so whenever I went online, my PC would shut down and reboot a few minutes later!

And how exactly did you get that? Did it involve any of the following: torrenting, music, instant messenging? Because that is pretty much all I'm doing with my computer.

This was going back a few years and I don't think that torrenting was about back then although I used to use the KaZaA Lite P2P network but no longer use it and haven't done so for ages now.

The MS Blaster worm incident happened as soon as I got online one day and was a pain to fix as I couldn't stay online for more than a minute or so so it was difficult to download security patches, virus definitions, etc.

I've since learnt my lesson and leave automatic updates on now!

[andsome]

Being connected to the Internet is all it takes to potentially get infected. I hope you have a good firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware installed. But these also need to be kept up-to-date, otherwise they become useless within a short period of time.

This is especially true of the activities that he has listed.

[Blind Masseur]

@Curly: Well, with the limit of my browsing and activities, since I've switched to firefox I've had no problems.

Being connected to the Internet is all it takes to potentially get infected. I hope you have a good firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware installed. But these also need to be kept up-to-date, otherwise they become useless within a short period of time.

I've actually got none of the above, except for SpyBlaster which just blocks some known bad sites in firefox (and in IE, which has a similar number with an extra 0 at the end :P), which I keep up to date, but that's about it.

Anyways, I appreciate your concern and am fully aware of all of the risks ascociated with not updating windows, having DMZ enabled, not having an anti-virus program, not having a firewall, etc. but I'm just looking to remove IE. I've also got personal reasons for why I can't update windows anyways.

[andsome]

@Curly: Well, with the limit of my browsing and activities, since I've switched to firefox I've had no problems.

Being connected to the Internet is all it takes to potentially get infected. I hope you have a good firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware installed. But these also need to be kept up-to-date, otherwise they become useless within a short period of time.

I've actually got none of the above, except for SpyBlaster which just blocks some known bad sites in firefox (and in IE, which has a similar number with an extra 0 at the end :P), which I keep up to date, but that's about it.

Anyways, I appreciate your concern and am fully aware of all of the risks ascociated with not updating windows, having DMZ enabled, not having an anti-virus program, not having a firewall, etc. but I'm just looking to remove IE. I've also got personal reasons for why I can't update windows anyways .

Are you saying that you are using an illegal copy?

[CurlyWhirly]

Well, with the limit of my browsing and activities, since I've switched to firefox I've had no problems.

I don't think it matters what browser you use as if the MS Blaster worm vulnerability isn't patched then it will only be a matter of time before you get hit.

I was using a firewall when I got infected a few years ago and the firewall didn't stop it so it's no good relying on that!

[jason.b.c]

I've also got personal reasons for why I can't update windows anyways .

Are you saying that you are using an illegal copy?

and what if he is..?? what are you going to do about it..?

he and i spoke over yahoo IM about this last night ..

[Blind Masseur]

I don't think it matters what browser you use as if the MS Blaster worm vulnerability isn't patched then it will only be a matter of time before you get hit.

I was using a firewall when I got infected a few years ago and the firewall didn't stop it so it's no good relying on that!

So if I get it, big deal, I will remove it. I've removed every major virus that's infected my computer in the past 3 years with no issues, it's a very very simple process.

I think we are all diversing from the topic however.

Whether or not I pirated windows, or how secure my system is, etc. has nothing to do with removing Internet Explorer. I am currently in the process of obtaining LitePC and will test it out and report back when I'm done.

-Steve

[andsome]

I've also got personal reasons for why I can't update windows anyways .

Are you saying that you are using an illegal copy?

and what if he is..?? what are you going to do about it..?

he and i spoke over yahoo IM about this last night ..

Unnecessarily belligerent as usual aren't you? Obviously I cannot and will not do anything about it.

I don't think it matters what browser you use as if the MS Blaster worm vulnerability isn't patched then it will only be a matter of time before you get hit.

I was using a firewall when I got infected a few years ago and the firewall didn't stop it so it's no good relying on that!

So if I get it, big deal, I will remove it. I've removed every major virus that's infected my computer in the past 3 years with no issues, it's a very very simple process.

I think we are all diversing from the topic however.

Whether or not I pirated windows, or how secure my system is, etc. has nothing to do with removing Internet Explorer. I am currently in the process of obtaining LitePC and will test it out and report back when I'm done.

-Steve

This is of course true, but it is the policy of this forum NOT to help with pirated operating systems. I feel sure that the moderators or administrators of the forum may well have some questions.

[-pops-]

Well, is your copy of Windows a pirated version?

I still haven't seen the importance of removing IE. I don't use that browser - but I don't concern myself about removing it. I just ignore it and it doesn't bother me. Is there something you're not telling us?

Regarding your not updating and/or applying security measures to your system remember that it is not just you who may suffer the consequences of your inaction. Others are vulnerable as when you are connected to the Internet, any computer infections you may have can be easily propagated to the world at large.

[Blind Masseur]

First, I would like to address the issue of my putting other people at risk with my system not protected. I am aware that if my computer gets infected it can spread to other computers, but I am fully aware of exactly how vulnerable my system is, and if it gets infected with anything potentially dangerous I would discover it almost immediately, and then remove. I am very capable of removing any infection from my system. I have not had any trouble with my system in the past (and I have gotten infections that I've had to remove) and I've caused no harm to the systems of anyone else.

Secondly, I would never do anything illegal in obtaining software because most companies deserve the money, and others, who really don't deserve the money (windows, adobe, etc.) will do everything in their power to bust people with illegal copies of their software; thus my copy of windows is not illegal.

Third, I don't want windows update because I don't want anything it has to offer and I have already thoroughly familiarized myself with the current state of all of the files and OS details, etc. which makes it easiest for me to personally manage security on my system with things being maintained as they are; furthermore I don't want to leave it up to programs because, well for one programs are designed for the general public and not for each individual system and therefore are not as effective as a person managing it themselves, and second they take up space and resources that I don't really have.

Last, reasons why I don't want IE, because it's pesky and a lot of pop-up adware targets IE, thus if it is completely removed it eliminates one extra nuissance within the windows OS. Additionally, I just don't like having things that are useless and fallible on my system. And last I want to see, and this is the main reason, I want to see if removing IE completely will force MSN Messenger to use my default browser when opening up my inbox from the program.

I hope that answers any questions people had.

-Steve

[rong]

First, I would like to address the issue of my putting other people at risk with my system not protected. I am aware that if my computer gets infected it can spread to other computers, but I am fully aware of exactly how vulnerable my system is, and if it gets infected with anything potentially dangerous I would discover it almost immediately, and then remove. I am very capable of removing any infection from my system. I have not had any trouble with my system in the past (and I have gotten infections that I've had to remove) and I've caused no harm to the systems of anyone else.

Secondly, I would never do anything illegal in obtaining software because most companies deserve the money, and others, who really don't deserve the money (windows, adobe, etc.) will do everything in their power to bust people with illegal copies of their software; thus my copy of windows is not illegal.

Third, I don't want windows update because I don't want anything it has to offer and I have already thoroughly familiarized myself with the current state of all of the files and OS details, etc. which makes it easiest for me to personally manage security on my system with things being maintained as they are; furthermore I don't want to leave it up to programs because, well for one programs are designed for the general public and not for each individual system and therefore are not as effective as a person managing it themselves, and second they take up space and resources that I don't really have.

Last, reasons why I don't want IE, because it's pesky and a lot of pop-up adware targets IE, thus if it is completely removed it eliminates one extra nuissance within the windows OS. Additionally, I just don't like having things that are useless and fallible on my system. And last I want to see, and this is the main reason, I want to see if removing IE completely will force MSN Messenger to use my default browser when opening up my inbox from the program.

I hope that answers any questions people had.

-Steve

It's a shame you had to put this explanation on to this thread, that has nothing to do with your original post. Why people don't just help with the questions asked is beyond me.

[andsome]

As this was such an unusual question I consider it perfectly legitimate to enquire as to whether or not the installation was legal. It is the policy of the forum NOT to assist with pirated software questions. The explanation is a perfect answer to the question. Also there is the potential to do great damage to the system by trying to remove an integral part of the operating system, hence, people are right to be concerned that the questioner is fully aware of the dangers in what they are planning to do. The questions asked are in my opinion more justified on this occasion, than the many times that someone has asked a legitimate question about IE, Windows, OE etc, and been told "get rid of it and use Linux, Firefox, Opera" etc, without any attempt at offering help.

[rong]

He wasn't asking for help to do anything about pirated software so it was not necessary to spend all the time on that subject whilst not offering any help.

as for your (The questions asked are in my opinion more justified on this occasion, than the many times that someone has asked a legitimate question about IE, Windows, OE etc, and been told "get rid of it and use Linux, Firefox, Opera" etc, without any attempt at offering help.) look at your answer to a question about Adobe, get something different.

[andsome]

He wasn't asking for help to do anything about pirated software so it was not necessary to spend all the time on that subject whilst not offering any help.

as for your (The questions asked are in my opinion more justified on this occasion, than the many times that someone has asked a legitimate question about IE, Windows, OE etc, and been told "get rid of it and use Linux, Firefox, Opera" etc, without any attempt at offering help.) look at your answer to a question about Adobe, get something different.

We know that now don't we. I still think that in the circumstances it was a legitimate question. In any case I feel sure that he can look after himself.

Regarding Adobe, I merely said that I was surprised that as he was trying to uninstall version 7, no one had suggested that Foxit was less invasive and far less troublesome, once that object had been achieved. I did NOT say "get something different". As on many occasions of late, I just feel that you are picking fault with something that I have said, and trying to provoke me. You are as guilty as anyone of straying off topic on this occasion. I will NOT get involved with you on further slanging.

[nellie2]

Whether Blind Masseur is using pirated software or not isn't the issue here. (Although seeing as the subject came up, he has said he isn't )

Windows Forum does not condone the use of pirated software and we will not help with regards to finding and using illegal keys or software.

If Blind Masseur wants to get rid of IE then it is up to him.. although I will say that I haven't had one pop up since I've been using IE7 and with IE7 Pro installed I can block most ads too. :)

I will say that as a Windows user I feel you are being very irresponsible not keeping up with your security updates, there are many infections these days that will install themselves and hide on your system so that you will not be able to see them or dig them out.

However, I'm not posting so that I can lecture anyone in security matters, I think it is time to close this thread.

Blind Masseur... if you wish to start a new thread on how your removal of IE is going then please be my guest..... everyone else, please stay on topic and have a little respect for each other.

Thank you

ps... Jason i've hidden your last post from view because it's just not on.