Unable to Uninstall a Previous Version of Internet Explorer After You Uninstall the Current Version of Internet Explorer (291558)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows NT 4.0
This article was previously published under Q291558

SYMPTOMS

After you uninstall any version of Internet Explorer, either the Uninstall Internet Explorer and all its components or Restore the previous Windows configuration option is unavailable (dimmed).

You can use these options to uninstall Internet Explorer. The options are available in the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs tool when you click Add/Remove for Internet Explorer.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Internet Explorer maintains only one set of backup (or uninstall) information. If you uninstall a version of Internet Explorer, you cannot use the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel to remove the browser that was installed before the version of Internet Explorer that you uninstalled.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, install Internet Explorer 5 or later (which creates new backup, or uninstall, information), or view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles for additional information:

174265 How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 4.0

217344 How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 5

246194 How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 5.01

257234 How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 5.5

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Either the Uninstall Internet Explorer and all its components or Restore the previous Windows configuration options are unavailable if you click Delete the backup information for Internet Explorer in the Advanced dialog box in the Add/Remove Programs tool. For additional information, view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

172919 Uninstall Internet Explorer Option Is Missing

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/26/2003
Keywords:kbprb kbsetup KB291558
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.