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How to disable Internet Explorer browser on Windows using Control Panel or DISM？

By: Author Alex Lim

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Browser

Solution 1: Use Control Panel for client OS only

You can use the Program and Features item in Control Panel to disable Internet Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows logo key+R to open the Run box.
  2. Type appwiz.cpl, and then select OK.
  3. In the the Programs and Features item, select Turn Window features on or off.
  4. In the Windows Features dialog box, locate the entry for the installed version of Internet Explorer. For example, locate the Internet Explorer 11 entry. Then, clear the check box.
  5. Select OK to commit the change.
  6. Restart the computer.

Solution 2: Use DISM (client and server systems)

On client and server systems, you can use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command line tool to disable Internet Explorer. For example, to disable Internet Explorer 11, follow these steps.

To disable Internet Explorer 11, run the following command at an elevated command prompt:

dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64

The following message is returned:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Image Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Disabling feature(s)
[===================100.0%===================]
The operation completed successfully.
Restart Windows to complete this operation.
Do you want to restart the computer now (Y/N)?
Note You must restart the computer to implement the change.

If you want to re-enable Internet Explorer 11, run the following command at an elevated command prompt:

dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64

The following message is returned:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Image Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Enabling feature(s)
[===================100.0%===================]
The operation completed successfully.
Restart Windows to complete this operation.
Do you want to restart the computer now (Y/N)?

Note: You must restart the computer to implement the change. If you want to restore the program on the same computer, we recommend that you use the same method that you first used (Control Panel or DISM).

Important: Because Internet Explorer remains installed on the computer after you disable it, you should continue to install security updates that apply to Internet Explorer.