A Guide to Repairing and Reinstalling Windows Internet Explorer

The following guide will show you how to repair or reinstall your Internet Explorer or Outlook Express application on PCs running Microsoft Windows XP. Make sure first of all that you are logged on as an administrator.

Repair Instructions

Use the tool ‘System File Checker’ and allow it to scan all the protected files stored on your PC:

1. Click on Start and then on Run.
   
2. In the message box which opens up type in sfc /scannow
   
3. Click OK
   

You may be asked to insert your copy of Windows XP or Windows XP Service Pack 1 installation disk.

Reboot your PC and check if the issue has been resolved. If not then try a repair for Internet Explorer using the guide below.

If That Method Failed…

This should be tried if the steps outline above have been tried and failed.

1. Open up Windows Explorer and click on the Search icon.
   
2. Select ‘All Files and Folders’ option and place a check in the box entitled Hidden Files under the advanced options.
   
3. Type in ‘IE.inf’ and search for it on the C Drive.
   
4. Once the search has located ‘IE.inf’, you should right click the file and then select install.
   
5. Reboot and check to see if Internet Explorer has been repaired.

Fastest Fix: Third Party Repair Tool

If the steps listed above have not managed to resolve the problems you’re having with Internet Explorer, you might need to use a third party repair tool. You can download these tools for free on the internet and they will detect and repair any errors that might be present in the registry and will repair applications such as Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.

The security upgrades issued by Microsoft to repair Malware problems within Internet Explorer have sometimes resulted in causing even more problems with applications for users of this browser.

Application problems can cause your PC to freeze, lag or issue an error message or dialog box on screen. If an error dialog box appears on screen it will normally give you the choice to either close or ignore the problem. Usually there will also be a brief explanation of what caused the error so you can look for a fix for the issue.

Common Internet Explorer Errors

Sometimes an error message will not pinpoint the exact cause of the problem and this is the case for three of the most common Internet Explorer errors listed below.

Page cannot be displayed
Seeing a red X instead of graphics
400 – Bad Request
401 – Unauthorized
402 – Payment Required
403 – Forbidden
404 – Not Found
405 – Method Not Allowed
406 – Not Acceptable
407 – Proxy Authentication Required
408 – Request Timeout
409 – Conflict
410 – Gone
411 – Length Required
412 – Precondition Failed
413 – Request Entity Too Large
414 – Request-URI Too Long
415 – Unsupported Media Type
416 – Requested Range Not Satisfiable
417 – Expectation Failed
500 – Internal Server Error
501 – Not Implemented
502 – Bad Gateway
503 – Service Unavailable
505 – HTTP Version Not Supported

Solutions to Internet Explorer Problems

There can be many and various reasons for the errors listed above. However, some of the most likely reasons are:

Problem: The website has been taken down from the Internet

Solution: Check back at a later date or look for the search engine cache.

Problem: Spyware or Adware on your PC

Solution: Perform a scan of your system using a reliable spyware and adware removal program. Clean your registry using a good registry cleaner.

Problem: The Installation or Removal of a Program

Solution: Reinstall the application, and then remove it again, checking for file fragments or drivers which have been left over. A registry cleaner will be able to search for these redundant files.

Problem: A Virus or Worm on your PC

Solution: Perform a scan with an anti virus program, install all security updates available and run a registry cleaner.

Problem: A Glitch or Bug within Internet Explorer

Solution: Carry out a complete re-install of Internet Explorer, upgrading to a newer version if available, install security updates and run a registry cleaner.

Problem: RAM on your PC is low

Solution: Close any windows or applications which you don’t need. Bring up the Task Manager by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL to see which programs are running including any which are running in the background. Close any unnecessary ones and then restart. Running a registry cleaner will also help with this.

Problem: Little Space Left on Hard Drive

Solution: Delete any temporary files from your cache, empty the Recycle Bin and carry out a Spyware and Adware scan. Also run a scan with a registry cleaner.

Today’s versions of Internet Explorer are much more stable than the earlier versions from several years ago. The early versions had many problems relating to kernel32.dll and wininet.dll files which caused PC crashes. Today these problems have become mainly a thing of the past and can only be seen occasionally in help forums and message boards.

How To Repair And Prevent Internet Explorer Errors

One maintenance task which should be carried out regularly is the cleaning out of the Windows Registry. The longer you’ve been using your computer the more orphaned and redundant files are left behind there.

By running a reliable registry cleaner such as RegCure it’s possible to deal with any PC problems and it can even help to mend issues with Internet Explorer.