How to re-install ie8?

[jsteph]

Hi all,
I have vista 64-bit but use ie8 32-bit because of the flash incompatibilities, etc. Anyway, some virus or something removed iexplore.exe from my program files(x85)\interet blah blah directory.

So I went to the MS downloads page, and downloaded the installer, but it immediately failed because "A newer version is already installed". I'm not sure if it's talking about 64-bit ie or just the fact that it "thinks" ie8 32-bit is installed because apparently the virus just removed the iexplore.exe file and didn't go through the proper channels of doing a full un-install. I don't have a copy of iexeplore.exe for v8 32 bit so for heavens sake can't I just re-install anyway?

How would I go about avoiding Microsoft's consistently wrong, arrogant and annoying "assumptions" about what I may or may not have "already installed" and just re install the g*dda*m program?
Thanks for any help,
--Jim

 

[linney]

Do you have this location and are there any files contained within?

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer

If the files were deleted are they lurking in the Recycle Bin?

Have you tried a System Restore?

Do you have a friend with Vista where you could try copying the missing files from that same folder and replacing your missing files?

What about uninstalling the Windows Update that installed IE 8 and then reinstalling the update that you have downloaded?

How to Uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) in Vista

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/03/07/how-to-uninstall-windows-internet-explorer-8-ie8-in-vista/

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=u...ox&ie=&oe=&redir_esc=&ei=Pt4wTJ3XI8-vcILC9NoD

I see lots of recommendations here for programs like -

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SuperAntispyware

http://superantispyware.com/

 

[jsteph]

Thanks, I took a chance and got the windows 7 iexplore.exe from my other machine's program files directory, I brought it to the laptop, and it worked.

I't just frustrating when one can't just do a re-install like I can with nearly every other program...it just feels too much like big-brother.

I have mbam, and it found a folder "data protection" that was of course a virus and it removed it. I'm a bit dissapointed that I had Vipre on that machine and Vipre missed it.

But I'm back in business with ie8, thanks,
--Jim

 

[linney]

I'm glad you fixed it anyway. You should have been able to uninstall and reinstall the update that originally installed IE 8 as per my link to -

How to Uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) in Vista

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/03/07/how-to-uninstall-windows-internet-explorer-8-ie8-in-vista/

Anyway all's well that ends well.

 

[smah]

I would guess that System File Checker would have corrected this problem as well.