Microsoft KB Archive/318378

= How to reinstall or repair Internet Explorer in Windows XP =

Article ID: 318378

Article Last Modified on 11/26/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0

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This article was previously published under Q318378



SUMMARY
This article describes how to reinstall or to repair Internet Explorer in Windows XP. You may have to do this if you have problems with Internet Explorer because of damaged files or missing registration information.

Note In some cases, the steps to reinstall or to repair Internet Explorer 6 will also resolve problems in Microsoft Outlook Express.



Introduction
You may have to reinstall or to repair Internet Explorer in Windows XP if you have problems with Internet Explorer because of damaged files or missing registration information. You may also decide to reinstall or to repair Internet Explorer 6 to resolve problems with Outlook Express in Windows XP.



Methods to follow if you have Internet Explorer 6
Any of the methods in this article may resolve your problem. Feel free to select the one that you are most comfortable with.

Method 1: Install Internet Explorer 7
You may be able to resolve problems with Internet Explorer 6 if you install Internet Explorer 7. Installing Internet Explorer 7 probably will not resolve problems with Outlook Express.

For information about how to install Internet Explorer 7, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx

Note After you install Internet Explorer 7, you can repair damaged files or missing registration information in Internet Explorer 7. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Start Internet Explorer 7.
 * 2) On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
 * 3) On the Advanced tab, click Reset.
 * 4) In the Rest Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset to confirm.

Method 2: Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
If you do not want to install Internet Explorer 7, or for some reason cannot do so, you may be able to resolve problems with Internet Explorer 6 by installing Windows XP Service Pack 2. Additionally, installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 may help resolve issues with Outlook Express.

To install Windows XP Service Pack 2, follow these steps:  Visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.update.microsoft.com

 Click Express Install (Recommended). If your computer qualifies, Windows XP Service Pack 2 will be one of the updates that is automatically selected. Click Install. Review the Microsoft Software License Terms. Then, if you agree with it, accept it.

For more information how to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Method 3: Repair Internet Explorer 6 by using the System File Checker in Windows XP
If you already have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed, and you do not want to install Internet Explorer 7, you may be able to resolve problems with Internet Explorer 6 by running the System File Checker. Additionally, running the System File Checker may help resolve issues with Outlook Express.

To run the System File Checker, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Run type sfc /scannow, and then press ENTER.
 * 2) Follow the prompts throughout the System File Checker process.
 * 3) Restart the computer when System File Checker process is complete.

Method 4: Reinstall Internet Explorer 6 by using the Ie.inf file
If you already have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed, and you do not want to install Internet Explorer 7, you may be able to resolve problems with Internet Explorer 6 by using the Ie.inf file to reinstall Internet Explorer 6. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Run, type %systemroot%\inf, and then press Enter.
 * 2) Find the Ie.inf file that is located in Windows\Inf folder.
 * 3) Right-click the Ie.inf file, and then click Install.
 * 4) Restart the computer when the file copy process is complete.



Method to follow if you have Internet Explorer 7
If you have Internet Explorer 7, you can repair damaged files or missing registration information in Internet Explorer 7. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Start Internet Explorer 7.
 * 2) On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
 * 3) On the Advanced tab, click Reset.
 * 4) In the Rest Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset to confirm.



Troubleshooting for advanced computer users
This section is intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone for help or contact support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/

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If the methods listed in this article do not resolve the issue, you may be able to resolve the issue by performing an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP. For more information how to complete an in-place upgrade, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

315341 How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

After you perform an in-place upgrade, visit the following Microsoft Web site to install the latest software updates available for Windows XP:

http://www.update.microsoft.com

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