Published by

**Brink** · 16 Dec 2007

How to Fix a Crashing Internet Explorer in Vista

Information

This will show you how to reset Internet Explorer (IE) back to it's default settings when IE keeps crashing or is not running properly, and how to fix the problem.

Tip

This is usually caused by a bad or corrupted add-on. Make sure that you have the latest version of the add-on installed.

Note

Sometimes the add-on will just need to be uninstalled and reinstalled to fix the problem with it.
If the steps below in the tutorial do not help, then:
- Try having DEP turned off for IE. See: How to Enable or Disable DEP in Vista
- Try these steps. See: Microsoft Help and Support: Internet Explorer stops responding, stops working, or restarts

Warning

This will delete all temporary browser files, disable browser add-ons, and reset all of the changed settings in Internet Explorer back to default.

STEP ONE

Test to See if a Bad Add-On is the Problem

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. Click on All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).

3. If this IE with no add-ons runs without any problems, then you have a bad add-on.

A) Do STEP TWO and THREE below.

4. If this IE with no add-ons still runs with problems, then you do not have a add-on problem.

A) Try STEP TWO to see if resetting the IE back to it's default settings will help. If it helps, then just enable your add-ons again in STEP THREE.

B) If STEP TWO does not help, then check to turn DEP turned off for IE.

C) If this still does not help, then you may be able to do a Repair install to fix IE.

STEP TWO

Reset Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click on Tools and Internet Options.
NOTE: If you cannot open IE, then open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click on the Internet Options icon.

3. Click on the Advanced tab. (See screenshot below)

4. Click on the Reset button.

5. Click on Reset to confirm the reset. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will need to do the Apply Actions in Windows Defender if it's icon pops up in the notification area. Just click on the icon. See: How to Change Windows Defender Notification Options

6. Click on Close. (See screenshot below)

7. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will not see this if you opened Internet Options from the Control Panel.

8. Close and reopen Internet Explorer to apply the reset.

STEP THREE

How to Locate the Bad Add-on in Internet Explorer

NOTE: Sometimes the add-on will just need to be uninstalled and reinstalled to fix the problem with it.

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click on Tools and Internet Options.

3. Click on the Programs tab. (See screenshot below)

4. Click on the Manage Add-ons button.

5. Click on a add-on to select it and select Enable. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You are trying to figure out which one is bad, so just enable one or couple at a time that you think may be it. Be sure to look in the other Show drop down menu areas.

A) When the Bad Add-On is Found Select Disable, and click on Delete (IE7) if it is not grayed out to remove it.
NOTE: If is is grayed out, then see if it is listed in Programs and Features so you can uninstall it.

6. Click on OK (IE7) or Close (IE8).

7. Click on OK to confirm changes. (See screenshot below)

8. Close and reopen IE to apply add-on changes.

9. Repeat steps 1 to 8 until you find the bad add-on.
NOTE: When you find the bad add-on, just disable it again. See if you can Delete it in step 5A. If you cannot Delete it, then see if you can uninstall it in Programs and Features.

10. When done, do not forget to set all of the IE settings back to the way you want them.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**iloveth3shotgun** · 10 May 2008

thanks for the help but i think something else is causing the problem

**Brink** · 10 May 2008

Hi iloveth3shotgun,

Have you checked with the DEP setting yet in IE7 from the NOTE at the top of the tutorial? It can cause problems sometimes when it is enabled.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**brummyfan** · 16 May 2008

Thank you Brink for this fabulous Tutorial.
It certainly helped me solve my problem.

**Brink** · 16 May 2008

Your welcome Brummyfan. I'm happy to hear that your problem is fixed.

Shawn

**JustLearning** · 22 May 2008

Hi, I apologize if this is in the wrong place. But, I am hoping you can help. On a Vista Home Basic computer.

Internet options is not showing in IE or in the control panel.
Typing start > run > inetcpl.cpl with admin priviledges does not open ~ nothing happens at all.

c:\windows\system32\inetcpl.cpl -exists - but will not open.

IE opens and works but there is no commandbar, no menubar - the reg fixes to show or unhide these do not work.

gpedit.msc does not open because its vista home edition

I have read it is not possible to uninstall ie7 on Vista to reinstall it. I am at a loss right now,

How to run the RIES reset of IE7 when you cannot get internet options to open? There must be a command line code to run it - at least I hope there is.
or
how to repair install ie7 on Vista?

Please help I have spent many days researching and trying to fix this. Thank you in advance.

**Brink** · 22 May 2008

Hi Just Learning,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

It sounds like you may have more going on than a IE7 problem. I would run a thorough scan for a Virus and for any other malware with your antivirus and anti-spyware programs.

You can try doing a System Restore using a restore point dated before this problem to fix your computer. This tutorial will show you how to if needed.

System Restore - How to

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**JustLearning** · 22 May 2008

Thank you for your response.

System restore did not help, there are no viruses or rootkits (scanned with gmer for rootkits)

I am fairly certain its a group policy via the registry that has been placed onto this computer to prevent inetcpl.cpl from opening; however, the usual locations in the registry do not show this.

Thus, I was hoping to find a way to run RIES without using the button in internet options (because it won't open)
hmm, I haven't tried renaming the cpl file and trying to open though. I will let you know if that helps.

Otherwise I am really hoping to find a method to reinstall IE7 on Vista

Thank you again for your reply

**Brink** · 22 May 2008

Ok JustLearning, I found this.

Look in the registry at:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions

In the right pane of each location, look for NoBrowserOptions. If it is there, then right click on it and click Modify. Type 0 (number zero) and click OK.

Now logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**vorlon** · 18 Aug 2008

I have The Same Lose Connectivity Problem, but these solution can't solve my problem, i even reinstall 2 time my computer, and lose 1 Serial ready.

DEP = Off
Add-on = off
IE7 = reset
Upgrade To IE8 beta Ready.
the problem is here...
Any Help?

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