How to uninstall Internet Explorer 7
PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON HOW TO UNINSTALL IE7:
http://www.ie-vista.com/kbase2.html
The following information is out of date.
Ok, far too many people are not reading the Release Notes for Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview, or don't know that they exist. Also, there seems to be a problem with understanding how Add/Remove Programs behaves.
Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview was classed as a Windows Software Update. Therefore, it did not appear unless "Show Updates" is enabled. As at 5335.5 the uninstall entry has moved, and it is not necessary to enable "show updates":
If IE7 Beta 2 does not appear in Add/Remove Programs, you will need to run the following command:
%windir%\$NtUninstallie7bet2p$\spuninst\spuninst.exe (according to the Release Notes)
or
%windir%\$NtUninstallie7b2pmx$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
%windir% is variable and the uninstall folder will change depending on your version of IE7 - replace %windir% with the path to your default Windows folder (generally c:\windows). Also, you must go to Control Panel, Folder Options, View tab and ensure that "Show hidden files and folders" is enabled.
Error message: IE7 must be uninstalled from the User Account that installed it - Go to the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer.
Right click on Internet Explorer and select New String Value. Name that value InstalledByUser. The value of the new String should be your User account name.
Some software (for example ccleaner) deletes uninstaller directories such as $NtUninstallie7bet2pmx$. Some people manually delete the folder because they want to save disk space (silly - very silly - if you don't know what a folder is for, and it seems that most people hit by this problem did not understand the implications of deleting the folder, you should not delete it). If the $NtUninstallie7bet2pmx$ folder is empty, or has been deleted completely, whether by third party software or manually to preserve disk space, you will *not* be able to remove the Beta 2 Preview via Add/Remove Programs or the commandline. If running System Restore does not resolve the situation for you, then your only choice is to stay with the Preview, or format your PC and install Windows afresh. You will not be able to install any future builds of IE7 while Beta 2 Preview is installed, nor will you be able to run a Repair Install of XP.
Some are suggesting taking a copy of the missing uninstall folder from another PC to replace the lost data, and even offering a folder for download. I cannot recommend that people take this step. The results are too unpredictable. If the target PC has fewer, more, or different security updates and other patches installed, you could be left in a real mess. Also, you have no idea what else you may be getting in that folder.