How to Stop Internet Explorer from Opening: A Comprehensive Guide

Internet Explorer, while once a standard browser, may sometimes need to be managed or replaced with a more modern browser due to issues or preferences. This guide will walk you through the process of stopping Internet Explorer from opening automatically in various versions of Windows.

Changing the Default Browser in Windows

If you want to change Internet Explorer to another default browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, you can easily do so in Windows 10 using a few simple steps:

Type default in the Windows Search bar and click on the 'Settings' or 'Default Programs' option. In the Default Programs settings, you will see a section for setting the default apps. Here, you can choose a new default browser by selecting the app and clicking 'Set this app as default'. If adding a new browser is not listed, you can drop a link to a webpage on your desktop. Right-click on the link, choose 'Open with', select your preferred web browser from the list, and then check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .link files'.

Disabling Internet Explorer as a Startup Program

For those who want Internet Explorer to stop running altogether, you can disable it as a startup program, which means it won't automatically launch when you start your computer.

Right-click on the Windows button and select 'Task Manager'. Go to the 'Startup' tab. Here, you will see a list of programs that are set to start automatically with Windows. Find and select 'Internet Explorer'. Click the 'Disable' button. The program will no longer start automatically on your next system boot.

Note: This method only works on Windows 10. For Windows 7 or 8, the method differs slightly. In these older versions of Windows, you won't find the startup option in Task Manager by right-clicking the Windows button. Instead, you can use the System Configuration Utility, also known as msconfig.

Using the System Configuration Utility (msconfig)

For Windows 7 or 8 users, follow these steps to disable Internet Explorer as a startup program:

Press Win R, type 'msconfig', and press Enter. Go to the 'Startup' tab. Here, you can see a list of startup programs. Find and select 'Internet Explorer'. Click the 'Disable' button. The program will not start automatically on your next system boot.

Conclusion

This guide provides you with multiple methods to manage Internet Explorer, including changing the default browser and disabling it from startup. Whether you are on Windows 10, 8, or 7, you can effectively control and manage Internet Explorer to better suit your needs.