Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

One of the lesser known features of Internet Explorer 7 is the "No Add Ons" mode.

A shortcut is automatically added to the All Programs Menu in the System Tools folder (All Programs, Accessories, System Tools) when Internet Explorer 7 is installed.  Alternatively, you can create a shortcut on your desktop or QuickLaunch bar with the following target path:

"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"  -extoff

Primarily a troubleshooting tool, No Add Ons mode allows you to start IE with all add-ons such as toolbars and activex controls disabled.  If you are seeing problems when using IE in normal mode, and those problems go away when using No Add Ons mode, then obviously a third party product is at issue.  Use the Manage Add-Ons tool to disable all Add-Ons, start IE in normal mode then re-enable the add-ons one at a time, testing as you go, to work out what which product is causing a problem.

 

 

Published Sun, Apr 2 2006 6:57 by sandi
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Comments

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Monday, April 14, 2008 10:07 AM by Brenda Andersen

I don't have tools, file, edit, nothing.  I have address bar.  that's it.  Now what?

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 9:43 AM by matt

Right click in a blank area near the address bar and choose show menu.

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Monday, May 26, 2008 2:18 PM by tom

I dont havw any add ons how do I fix it

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:33 PM by robert

omg! I am ticked... My brother was on my computer and I get on and...*POOF*. Now I look at it... and the shortcut says INternet Explorer (No Add-Ons).... DX. I tried going to properties, and enabled em all, but the problem is, it says restart internet, and the only one i can start says Explorer (No Add-Ons). PLZ HELP! I even re-installed it, but nuthing changed! I have vista.

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:41 PM by robert

I FOUND A FIX!!!!!!!! WOO! Ok, where the icon says Explorer (No Add-Ons) right click. Properties. Then go to shortcut tab. Then where it says target, ull see stuff after iexplorer.exe". Delete it! Then click ok, then start it! w00t!

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Monday, June 09, 2008 5:32 PM by matt

yes do what the guy above says! thanks

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Monday, June 16, 2008 5:49 PM by Tenge

Well, I have the same problem, I have just done that, and I am afraid it didnt work for me.

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Friday, June 20, 2008 1:49 AM by icic

Well, I have the same problem, I have just done that, and I am afraid it didnt work for me.

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:52 PM by TG

Yep.  Tried the above....and when I right click "properties" it will not even let me get in there to get to the shortcuts tab.  And, when in the control panel, when I click on Internet Options, nothing happens.  Any more suggestions?

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:52 PM by TG

Yep.  Tried the above....and when I right click "properties" it will not even let me get in there to get to the shortcuts tab.  And, when in the control panel, when I click on Internet Options, nothing happens.  Any more suggestions?

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Friday, June 27, 2008 5:20 PM by MP

Best solution: Uninstall IE, have a beer to celebrate, then install FireFox 3 and have another beer to celebrate.

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Friday, June 27, 2008 11:33 PM by sandi

I do wish Firefox apologists would put more thought into their postings.. they are always so unoriginal.

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:30 PM by Donielle

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! IT WORKED FOR ME

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 8:50 PM by Susan

The process that worked for me:

1. Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer (no add ons)

2. Right click on Internet Explorer to open a new fly out menu

3. Locate the Properties Option

4. Select it with a left click

5. On the Shortcut tab - locate the Target: dialog box

6. Take it back to the .exe" Make sure the phrase has beginning and ending quotation marks.

7. Click OK

Example:  "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"

I discovered if I took off the end " it didn't work the way it should. XP refused to recognize the shortcut.

Hope this helps! Firefox freezes on my computer, however the beers sound great!

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Sunday, August 17, 2008 7:55 AM by carlos

i just followed what this guy is saying, and it did worked for me perfectly just delete the part after iexprorer.exe  that says -extoff   that is what prevents your explorer from having addons ..... just follow these instructions :   where  the icon says Explorer (No Add-Ons) right click. Properties. Then go to shortcut tab. Then where it says target, you will see stuff after iexplorer.exe". Delete it! Then click ok, then start it!

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Friday, September 05, 2008 8:48 PM by Ben

I've got a computer that will not allow me to enable/disable any add-ons.  The option is greyed out on the Internet properties programs tab and when going through tools, manage add-ons I can see the add-ons and which ones are enable or disable but the option to enable or disable them is greyed out.  This PC is a member of a workgroup and I have checked all policies regarding add-ons and none are configured.  User logged on is a member of the local administrators group.  Any ideas on how to configure the enable/disable add-ons to allow changes?

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:39 AM by Gary

What I found, on several computers, is that this 'No Add Ons' mode is created BY installing Firefox.  Every computer I've installed Firefox on comes up with this for IE7.  

Yes, I'm using Firefox, but as we all are aware, there are some programs that absolutely require Internet Explorer, such as anything to do with manual updates of your computer from Microsoft.

So, whatever Mozilla is doing during the install of FF3, they should stop it.

By the way, the last bit of text in the Shortcut line as '-extoff', if you see that in the shortcut, remove it, and IE should start fine

Gary

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:07 PM by mike

I managed to turn NO ADD ONS OFF,but I cant open IE browser at all...please help,thanx a million!

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:08 PM by scorpio

Cant open IE browser at all,please help!THANX!

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 5:50 PM by gabby

Robert, ur an amazing dude, did it and it worked.I deleted everything after iexplorer.exe thanks so much!

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 10:55 PM by Amethyste

Yay! It worked for me too :)

# re: Internet Explorer 7's No Add Ons mode

Sunday, September 21, 2008 3:23 PM by john

susan thanks you saved me lol