How to Go Back to a Previous Version of Internet Explorer

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

While Windows 7 comes preinstalled with Internet Explorer 8 -- certain OEM systems may ship with Internet Explorer 9 or 10 -- you can upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 through automatic or manual updates. To go back to the version of Internet Explorer that the operating system came with, downgrade the application by removing the Internet Explorer 11 update package. You can't, however, go back to a version of Internet Explorer that the operating system didn't originally ship with.

Advertisement

Step 1

Enter Windows Update into the Start menu, and then press Enter.

Video of the Day

The Windows Update Applet opens.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Step 2

Click Installed Updates on the Windows Update applet.

Advertisement

A list of all installed updates opens.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Step 3

Select Internet Explorer 11 -- or Internet Explorer 10 or 9, depending on your currently installed version -- from the list of installed updates, and then click Uninstall.

Advertisement

The update uninstaller opens.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Step 4

Click Yes on the confirmation pop-up box to proceed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Clicking No closes the uninstaller.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Step 5

Select Restart Now to apply the changes. Once Windows 7 restarts, Internet Explorer reverts to the pre-installed version.

Advertisement

Click Restart Later if you want to finalize the changes later.
Image Credit: Image courtesy of Microsoft

Advertisement

Advertisement

references

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...