How to Repair Internet Explorer 6 and Outlook Express in Windows

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Repair on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT or 2000
3. Repair on Windows XP
4. Conclusion

Introduction

Repair on Windows 95,98,ME, NT, or 2000

If you are using one of these versions of Windows then Internet Explorer 6 was not installed by default when you installed the operating system but rather from an upgrade. Since you upgraded to IE6 you have the advantage of having a repair tool that came with the installation.

To access this repair tool you should follow these steps:

1. Click on Start, then click on Settings, and then click on Control Panel.
2. Once the control panel window is open double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon.
3. You will now see a screen that shows a listing of all installed programs on your computer. Scroll down till you see Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Tools.
4. Double-click this entry and a screen will appear asking what you would like to do.
5. Select the option to Repair Internet Explorer and press the OK button.
6. Then press the Yes key to begin the process.
7. When it is completed reboot your computer.

If this method is not successful, then you may have to reinstall your operating system or try an alternate browser.

Repair on Windows XP

Because Internet Explorer 6 comes installed on Windows XP by default, you do not have access to the IE repair tool and have to repair/reinstall by using one of two, or maybe both, methods. Both methods are outlined below.

Method 1: Using the System File Checker

This method will scan all protected system files and restore ones that it finds do not match its internal database. This can take quite a while to complete so do not start this if you are limited on time. You may be prompted for the Windows XP CD, so make sure you have it available.

The steps to do this method are as follows:

1. Click on the Start button and then click on the Run option.
2. In the Open field type sfc /scannow and press the OK button.
3. Follow the prompts through the scan and when it prompts you to reboot, do so.
4. Test to see if the problem is resolved. If it is, you can stop reading this document. If not, you should proceed to the second method.

Method 2: Tricking Windows into letting you reinstall IE6

Since you already have Internet Explorer 6 installed the operating system will not allow you to reinstall over the existing installation. Due to this we are required to trick the operating system into thinking IE 6 is not installed. Please note that in order to use this method we are required to edit the registry. Incorrect editing of the registry can cause serious harm to your operating system so it is advised you proceed with extreme caution.

Follow these steps for repairing Internet Explorer 6:

1. Click on the Start button and then click on the Run option.
2. In the Open field type regedit and press the OK button.
3. Navigate to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}
4. Under that key you will see a entry named IsInstalled. Right click on that entry and left click on Modify.
5. Change the Value from 1 to 0.
6. Exit regedit.

Follow these steps for repairing Outlook Express:

1. Click on the Start button and then click on the Run option.
2. In the Open field type regedit and press the OK button.
3. Navigate to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{44BBA848-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}
4. Under that key you will see a entry named IsInstalled. Right click on that entry and left click on Modify.
5. Change the Value from 1 to 0.
6. Exit regedit.

If you would like to repair both Outlook Express and Internet Explorer 6 then do both fixes above.

When you are done modifying the registry for the application you would like to reinstall, download and install Internet Explorer 6.

Conclusion

If you are still having problems after completing the methods discussed above it is advised that you reinstall your version of Windows. In many cases that will be the only way to fix problems like these. If reinstallation is not an option then you can try an alternate browser such as Mozilla, Netscape, Opera, or Firefox.

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Lawrence Abrams
Bleeping Computer Microsoft Basic Concepts Tutorial
BleepingComputer.com: Computer Support & Tutorials for the beginning computer user.