Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10  

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
    Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10

    Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10

    How to Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Browsers & Email
    20 May 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10


    Internet Explorer 11 is a web browser that comes included with Windows 10, but Microsoft Edge is the default web browser.

    You can reset Internet Explorer settings to return them to the state they were in when Internet Explorer was first installed on your PC. This can be useful for troubleshooting problems that might be caused by settings changed after installation. Resetting Internet Explorer isn't reversible, and all previous settings are lost after reset.

    This tutorial will show you how to reset Internet Explorer back to default for your account in Windows 10.

    Note   Note
    Resetting includes:
    • Disable toolbars and add-ons
    • Default web browser settings
    • Privacy settings
    • Security settings
    • Advanced options
    • Tabbed browsing settings
    • Pop-up settings

    Delete personal settings includes: (optional)
    • Resets home pages
    • Search providers and Accelerators to default settings
    • Deletes temporary Internet files, history, cookies, web form information, ActiveX Filtering data, Tracking Protection data, Do Not Track data, and passwords.


    Internet Explorer 11 will be retired on June 15, 2022 in Windows 10


    EXAMPLE: Internet Explorer Welcome (reset)
    Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10-internet_explorer_welcome.jpg



    Here's How:

    1 Close all Internet Explorer windows.

    2 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Internet Options (inetcpl.cpl) icon.

    3 Click/tap on the Advanced tab in Internet Properties, and click/tap on the Reset button. (see screenshot below)

    Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10-reset_internet_explorer-1.png


    4 Do step 5 or step 6 below for what you want to include when resetting Internet Explorer.


    5 Reset Internet Explorer without deleting personal settings

    A) Uncheck the Delete personal settings box, click/tap on Reset, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10-reset_internet_explorer-2.png


    6 Reset Internet Explorer and delete personal settings

    A) Check the Delete personal settings box, click/tap on Reset, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10-reset_internet_explorer-3.png


    7 When finished, click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

    Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10-reset_internet_explorer-4.png

    8 You'll need to restart your computer for these changes to take effect.


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 27,157
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #1

    Good one Shawn, I use this if IE starts having stability problems, along with nuking everything with Ccleaner. Then optimize the system disk, and open up IE, let it sync what it sync's, for a few minutes, then set it back up, by going to my favorites and re-signing in.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 16
    64 bits Windows 10 home
       #2

    Hi Shawn,
    thank you for this. I have also checked out the tricks you gave on Seven forum.
    I know it is possible to hide tabs from Internet Options with registry keys. But is it possible to set the internet options (to check/uncheck boxes, to set values etc.) with cmd / PS / registry ?
    Thank you very much !
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hello Govi59, :)

    If you know the registry value for the IE setting, then sure you could use a cmd, PS, or .reg to change the value.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 16
    64 bits Windows 10 home
       #4

    Haha ! My question was rather : which are the commands / registry keys to change ?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    LOL.

    The tutorials below from W7 include .reg files to add and remove tabs in Internet Options to help. They'll work in W10 as well. You can edit the .reg files to see the registry values.

    Internet Options - "General" Tab - Add or Remove

    Internet Options - "Privacy" Tab - Add or Remove

    Internet Options - "Programs" Tab - Add or Remove

    Internet Options - "Security" Tab - Add or Remove
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 16
    64 bits Windows 10 home
       #6

    Sorry again, maybe I'm not clear enough :
    which are the commands (or registry keys) to set the internet options (not to block / remove tabs, but to set values, to check/uncheck boxes etc. !)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I'm still waking up this morning as well.

    That will depend on the internet options you wanted to set. There are way too many to list here though.

    If you have any specific settings, it would be good to create a new thread for those instead.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 16
    64 bits Windows 10 home
       #8

    Right on ! :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2
    windows 10
       #9

    Hi Shawn, my Internet Properties window (above step 3) does not have a Reset Internet Explorer settings area. Mine ends with the Restore button.
    I've tried everything to make ie11 my default browser but it no longer shows up as an option. I can set Chrome, Foxfire, Edge or Opera. If I try to associate extensions (e.g. htm) with iexplorer, the program does not show. Yet I have ie11 installed and it works fine. I've tried disabling ie11 as a windows feature, reboot, re-enable, reboot. Still nothing.
    I'd appreciate any insight.
    Jeff
      My Computer


 

Tutorial Categories

Reset Internet Explorer to Default in Windows 10 Tutorial Index Network & Sharing Instalation and Upgrade Browsers and Email General Tips Gaming Customization Apps and Features Virtualization BSOD System Security User Accounts Hardware and Drivers Updates and Activation Backup and Restore Performance and Maintenance Mixed Reality Phone


  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:55.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums