Internet Explorer is a popular web browser that has been around for several years. However, since Windows 10 was released, Microsoft has been promoting their new browser, Microsoft Edge, which no longer includes Internet Explorer in its default settings. Therefore, for some users, it is hard to find Internet Explorer on their Windows 8 system. In this blog, we will show you how to get Internet Explorer back on Windows 8 and why you might want to do this.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Get Internet Explorer Back on Windows 8:
Windows 8 has Internet Explorer pre-installed, and if it isn’t, you can install it from the Windows Features. The problem is that some users have difficulty finding Internet Explorer because Microsoft has started to promote their new browser, Microsoft Edge, as the default browser in Windows.
Things You Should Prepare for:
Before we start, there are a few things that you need to prepare for to enable you to get Internet Explorer back on Windows 8. You should have administrative access to the computer and should take a backup of your data before proceeding to the steps.
Method 1: Via Control Panel
This is the easiest method to get Internet Explorer back on Windows 8 through Control Panel.
Step 1: Click on the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Quick Link menu.
Step 2: Click on Control Panel from the menu that appears.
Step 3: Click on Programs and Features.
Step 4: In the left panel, click on Turn Windows Features on or off.
Step 5: Look for and expand the Internet Explorer 11 option.
Step 6: Check the box next to Internet Explorer 11.
Step 7: Click on OK.
Step 8: A Windows message will appear saying "Windows is making changes. Restart now." Click on the Restart Now button.
Pros:
1. Easy to follow.
2. Built-in to Windows.
3. You can enable or disable various other Windows features that are no longer required.
Cons:
1. You are restarting your computer which could take time.
2. If you are not familiar with this method, you may not find the Internet Explorer.
Method 2: Via Start Menu
This is another straightforward method to get Internet Explorer back on Windows 8 using the Start menu.
Step 1: Type Windows Features on Start.
Step 2: Select Turn Windows Features on or off.
Step 3: Look for and expand the Internet Explorer 11 option.
Step 4: Check the box next to Internet Explorer 11.
Step 5: Click on OK.
Step 6: A Windows message will appear saying "Windows is making changes. Restart now." Click on the Restart Now button.
Pros:
1. Requires minimal steps.
2. Clean interface.
3. Quick and easy to follow.
Cons:
1. You are restarting your computer which could take time.
2. This method requires you to run commands on your computer, which can be confusing for some users.
Method 3: Via Command Prompt
This method is not recommended for new users or people who are unfamiliar with command lines.
Step 1: Type CMD on Start, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Type dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64 and press Enter to install 64-bit Internet Explorer. If you are running a 32-bit version of Windows, type dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:Internet-Explorer-Optional and press Enter.
Step 3: The command prompt will install Internet Explorer without any on-screen notice, so you will not receive any message of completion.
Step 4: Type exit in the command prompt and press Enter.
Step 5: Restart your computer to complete the installation.
Pros:
1. You won’t need to access any menus.
2. All of the steps can be automated.
3. You can enable or disable various other Windows features that are no longer required.
Cons:
1. Installing via the command prompt can be more difficult and confusing than doing it via the Control Panel or Start menu.
2. Requires knowing how to use a command prompt, which can be daunting for new users.
Why Can’t I Get Internet Explorer Back on Windows 8:
1. You don’t have administrator access to the computer.
2. Internet Explorer was deleted through a third-party application or software.
3. Your operating system is not up-to-date or corrupted.
Fixes:
1. Contact your system administrator.
2. Reinstall Internet Explorer using the methods above. In some cases where it was replaced by a third-party program, removing that program might also resolve the issue.
3. Reset your Windows 8 system.
Additional Tips:
1. If you can’t find Internet Explorer, use the search function in the start menu to search for it.
2. Install antivirus to protect your computer.
3. Install regular updates to ensure the system runs optimally.
5 FAQs about How to Get Internet Explorer Back on Windows 8:
Q1: What is Internet Explorer?
A: Internet Explorer is a web browser that was produced by Microsoft, and it has been around for many years. It is used to surf the web, view web pages, and download files.
Q2: Why would I want to use Internet Explorer instead of other web browsers?
A: Some websites are optimized to work best with Internet Explorer, and some even refuse to work with other browsers. Furthermore, Internet Explorer has unique features, such as ActiveX controls, that other browsers can’t handle.
Q3: What is Microsoft Edge, and why is it preferred over Internet Explorer?
A: Microsoft Edge is a newer browser that was introduced by Microsoft. It’s designed for the Windows 10 platform and has a more modern interface. Microsoft Edge is also faster and more secure than Internet Explorer.
Q4: How do I set Internet Explorer as my default browser?
A: You can set Internet Explorer as your default browser by going to Start, typing "Default Programs," selecting "Set your default programs," and then selecting Internet Explorer as the default browser.
Q5: How often should I update Internet Explorer?
A: Microsoft releases updates to Internet Explorer to improve its functionality, reliability, and security. As such you should update it as frequently as possible, either via automatic updates or manually from Microsoft’s website.
In Conclusion:
Internet Explorer is a widely used web browser, and some users may prefer it over Microsoft Edge or other web browsers. Therefore, Microsoft has made it easier to get Internet Explorer back on Windows 8, offering several simple yet effective methods. We hope that this blog has helped you in getting Internet Explorer back in your Windows 8 system.