How to Remove Internet Explorer 6 or Outlook Explorer 6 by Reinstalling Windows (312451)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q312451
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

This article describes how to remove Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or Microsoft Outlook Express 6, and then restore your original version of Internet Explorer or Outlook Express by reinstalling Microsoft Windows.

MORE INFORMATION

To remove Internet Explorer 6 or Outlook Express 6 through the reinstallation of Windows, follow these steps.

Step 1: Rename Migration DLL Files

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type iemigrat.dll; migrate.dll; 9xmig.dll.
  3. In the Look in list, select My Computer, and then click Find Now.
  4. In the list of found items, right-click the Iemigrat.dll file that is stored in the C:\Windows\System folder, and then click Rename.

    Note If Iemigrat.dll is not found, continue to step 6.
  5. Rename Iemigrat.dll to Iemigrat.old, and then press ENTER.
  6. Right-click the Migrate.dll file that is stored in the C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\W2K folder, and then click Rename.
  7. Rename Migrate.dll to Migrate.old, and then press ENTER.
  8. Rename the 9xmig.dll file to 9xmig.old, and then press ENTER.
  9. On the File menu, click Close.

Step 2: Remove Registry Keys

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To remove the Windows registry keys that are associated with the migration DLL files, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Expand the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Migration\100

    NOTE: If this key is not present, continue to step 8.
  4. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File.
  5. In the File name box, type migration 100, and then click Save.
  6. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
  7. On the Confirm Key Delete message that appears, click Yes.
  8. Expand the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Migration DLLs

  9. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File.
  10. In the File name box, type migration dlls, and then click Save.
  11. In the right pane of the Registry Editor window, right-click the entry that has the following value:

    "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\W2K"

  12. On the shortcut menu that appears, click Delete.
  13. On the Confirm Value Delete message that appears, click Yes.
  14. Expand the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Migration\650

    Note If this key is not present, go to step 19.
  15. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File.
  16. In the File name text box, type migration 650, and then click Save.
  17. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
  18. When the "Confirm Key Delete" message appears, click Yes.
  19. Quit Registry Editor.

Step 3: Reinstall Windows

When you now reinstall Windows, the original version of Internet Explorer that is included with your version of Windows is installed.

To obtain the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie

For additional information about installing Windows, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

188881 How to Install Windows 98: Helpful Tips and Suggestions

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/15/2006
Keywords:kbhowto kbinfo KB312451
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