How to Reset Internet Explorer: Full Guide

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Resetting Internet Explorer restores its default settings, which can fix problems like a hijacked homepage, broken search, pop-ups, or toolbar clutter. You’ll need to be able to open the browser and have administrator access to your Windows account. This guide walks you through the built-in reset process for current versions of Internet Explorer (IE 11 and earlier) on Windows 10 and Windows 7.

What You’ll Need

A Windows PC with Internet Explorer installed (it comes with Windows).
Administrator rights on the account you’re using (you’ll likely be prompted for permission).
Optional: a backup of your favorites and bookmarks if you want to be extra safe, though the reset usually keeps them.

Step-by-Step

Close all open Internet Explorer windows. Make sure no IE windows are running, including ones that might be minimized or hidden in the taskbar. If you’re not sure, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), look for “Internet Explorer” under Processes, select it, and click “End Task.” This prevents the reset from failing due to locked files.
Open Internet Explorer. You can find it by clicking the Start button and typing “Internet Explorer” in the search box, then pressing Enter. If you’re on Windows 10, it’s in the “Windows Accessories” folder in the Start menu.
Click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the browser window. It looks like a small cogwheel. If you don’t see it, press the Alt key on your keyboard to show the menu bar, then click “Tools” (the gear icon is also available there).
Select “Internet options” from the drop-down menu. This opens the Internet Options dialog box.
Click the “Advanced” tab at the top of the dialog box. It’s the last tab on the right.
Click the “Reset…” button in the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” section near the bottom. A new window will appear.
Check the box that says “Delete personal settings” if you want to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, and InPrivate Filtering data. If you leave it unchecked, IE will keep those items but still reset the main settings. For a full clean reset, it’s usually a good idea to check it.
Click “Reset” in the confirmation window. A progress bar will show while IE resets its settings. This usually takes a few seconds.
Click “Close” when the reset is complete, then click “OK” on the Internet Options dialog box.
Restart Internet Explorer. Close the browser completely and reopen it. You’ll now see the default start page (usually MSN or a blank page) and default search engine (Bing).

Common Mistakes

Not closing all IE windows. If you have multiple tabs or windows open, the reset may fail or not apply correctly. Always close them first.
Forgetting to check “Delete personal settings.” If you’re trying to fix a malicious homepage or search hijacker, leaving this unchecked might keep the bad settings. Always check it for a thorough reset.
Resetting the wrong browser. In Windows 10, Microsoft Edge is the default browser, but Internet Explorer is a separate program. Make sure you’re actually opening IE and not Edge.
Clicking “Reset” on the wrong tab. The Reset button is only on the Advanced tab. If you’re on General or Security, you won’t see it.

Tips

Back up your favorites. Even though the reset usually keeps favorites, it’s wise to export them first. Click the star icon (Favorites) > the arrow next to “Add to favorites” > “Import and export…” and follow the wizard to save to a file.
Know what gets reset. The reset restores default settings for: home page, search providers, Accelerators, InPrivate Filtering, and security zone settings. It also disables toolbars and add-ons (but doesn’t uninstall them).
Use the reset as a first fix, not a last resort. It’s non-destructive compared to uninstalling and reinstalling the browser, and it often resolves issues caused by unwanted add-ons or changed settings.
After reset, re-enable trusted add-ons. Go to the gear icon > “Manage add-ons” and enable any toolbars or extensions you actually use, like Adobe Flash or Java.

Troubleshooting

The Reset button is grayed out. This usually means you don’t have administrator rights. Log off and log back in with an account that has admin privileges, or contact your IT department if it’s a work computer.
The reset fails with an error message. Try closing all IE processes again via Task Manager, then repeat the steps. If it still fails, restart your computer and try again. If the issue persists, you may need to run System File Checker (sfc /scannow) from an elevated command prompt.
After reset, the homepage is still wrong. This could be caused by malware that re-applies its settings. Run a full antivirus and anti-malware scan. You can also check the shortcut you use to open IE: right-click the shortcut, go to Properties, and make sure the “Target” field ends with “iexplore.exe” and doesn’t have extra URLs after it.
IE won’t open at all. If you can’t even get to the reset dialog, try starting IE in No Add-ons mode: go to Start > type “Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)” and press Enter. Then follow the reset steps from there.
Reset worked, but IE is still slow. The reset doesn’t clear temporary files. Go to the General tab in Internet Options > Browsing history > Delete > check “Temporary Internet files and website files” and click Delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting Internet Explorer delete my bookmarks/favorites?

No, the reset does not delete favorites. It only resets settings. However, if you check “Delete personal settings,” it will remove browsing history, search providers, and Accelerators, but not favorites.

Will resetting IE affect other browsers like Chrome or Firefox?

No, the reset only affects Internet Explorer. Other browsers have their own settings and are not touched.

Do I need to reinstall Internet Explorer after a reset?

No, the reset is built into IE and doesn’t uninstall or reinstall the program. It simply restores default settings.

Why would I need to reset IE?

Common reasons include: your homepage changed without your permission, search results are being redirected, you see unexpected toolbars or pop-ups, or the browser crashes or runs slowly. Resetting fixes these by clearing out unwanted changes.

Does resetting IE remove viruses?

No, resetting only changes browser settings. It doesn’t remove malware. You should run a full antivirus scan separately to remove any infections.

Is Internet Explorer still supported?

Internet Explorer 11 is the last version and is only supported on Windows 7, 8.1, and 10. Microsoft ended support for IE11 on Windows 10 in June 2022, and it’s being phased out in favor of Microsoft Edge. However, the reset steps still work if you need to use it for legacy sites.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.