DO NOT do it (leave it inactive). Internet Explorer is more than just a browser. It works as an underlying technology behind a number of internal Windows XP processes including updating, basic Windows functionality and more. see here: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/browsers/f/removeiexp.htm http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_Internet_Explorer thank you Please mark "Solved" the answer that really solve the problem, to help others with a similar problem.