How Not To Internet Explorer 7

You know, I wasn't sure I really wanted Internet Explorer 7 in the first place. I declined it twice, waited until I had a chance to make a complete backup of my system, and finally allowed the installation. It was a wild ride. Here are some tips to help you avoid more excitement than is strictly necessary.

Tip # 1 - You don't have to accept it.

Internet Explorer 7 is offered as part of Windows Update to all computers that pass the Windows Genuine Advantage validation test. In a highly unusual move, Microsoft alerts all users, even those who have Windows Update configured for automatic everything, to decline IE7. If you don't want it now, just decline it. Windows Update will continue to offer it, so you'll need to decline each time. One click. No big deal.

Tip # 2 - Please wait...
It's a big download. Even with a fast computer and a fast connection, it's going to take a few minutes. Make coffee. Play with the dog. Be patient.

Tip # 3 - Close all running programs...
Now, by "all running programs" apparently they mean all running programs. I usually do not close my anti-virus program or my firewall or Windows Defender while downloading and installing a new program because...well because when you're downloading and installing new programs is exactly when you need that protection most! However, in this situation, apparently we have to trust Microsoft and turn off at least the anti-virus and Windows Defender.

I turned off everything that normally runs --- Evernote (http://www.evernote.com/en/), YankeeClipper (http://www.intelexual.com/products/YC3/), Google Desktop (http://desktop.google.com/) --- during the installation. When IE7 finished the install, I allowed a reboot, started IE7 and...got the dreaded "Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to shut down" message along with the error information "fault address 0x000c4c9e."

Well just heck.

Tip #4 - Did you know there's a new version of Google Desktop?
There is! And guess what! The NEW version doesn't interfere with Internet Explorer 7! Who knew?

Long story short, searching the error code in Google eventually led me to someone else who was having the same problem, and then to the answer: The version of the Google Desktop search utility I was running wasn't compatible with IE7. Upgrading to the new version let me run IE7...but not without incident.

Next time I started IE7, my Windows Defender began warning me --- URGENTLY --- that my Internet Explorer startup page had changed. (Really? You think?) I was finally able to allay Defender's fears and begin using the browser. I wonder if the Windows Defender team and the IE7 team at Microsoft could have anticipated this and headed it off?

Tip # 5 - You can get the menu bar back if you want to. By default, the Menu Bar (File - Edit - View - BlahBlah) is now turned off. To turn it back on, right-click on any tool bar that is visible, and put a check next to "Menu bar." If you only want it sometimes, just press the Alt key to toggle it on and off.

The next annoyance involves the location of the Menu bar, which is now (for some reason) under the Location bar (where you type in http://etc.). If you want to have the Menu bar on top, this tweak will do it.

Tip # 6 - You can uninstall IE7 and revert to IE6 if you want to.
You never want to get rid of Internet Explorer entirely because important components of Windows are wrapped around it. However, you can safely uninstall Internet Explorer 7 and return to version 6:

1.Close all running programs
2.Start Control Panel Add or Remove Programs
3.Click on "Show Updates" (top of the box) if necessary
4.Scroll to Internet Explorer 7
5.Click on "Remove"
6.Follow the prompts and reboot
7.Start Internet Explorer, and make sure it's IE6 and that it starts ok

I've heard from quite a few readers who had no problems installing or using IE7 and who really love it. I've heard from only a few who wanted to know how to uninstall it. So in our completely unscientific sample, most people like it, or at least most people find it far less annoying than I do!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.