delete IE add-ons?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frank Pajerski
  • Start date Start date
F

Frank Pajerski

With my WinXp Home IE6 now at the SP2 level, the IE "Tools" menu now
shows a "manage add-ons" function. The help-info for this function says
"Add-ons can be disabled but not easily removed".

I like the thought of deleting the add-on entries that I see on my
system as a good means of getting a fresh start on what is really needed
in there today, but haven't found any info on doing this so far on the
Microsoft or MVP site or the such. Any info on how to do this
safely/correctly?

TIA
--- Frank
 
START | RUN
Type AppWiz.cpl to start Add/Remove programs.
Remove the addins you don't want.

--
Thanks,

Eric Lawrence
Program Manager
Internet Explorer Trust

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 
I'm confused by the reply below. Add/Remove Programs displays programs
and updates which don't correspond to what the IE "manage add-ons"
displays, so I don't see how this function can be used to delete add-ons
entries.

I can't seem to copy/paste my add-on display into this note here ... it
includes such entries as
... Bad Download Blocker - (not verified) Safer Networking Limited - BHO
... eBay Homepage - no publisher - Browser Extension
... Research - no publisher - Browser Extension
and other Browser Helper Objects and Extensions, a Norton Antivirus
toolbar entry, and Active X controls from Microsoft and Macromedia. All
of these are likely safe, altho I would wish more info on what the
"Research" Extension is all about.

--- Frank
 
Hi Frank,

Eric's advice is correct, as third-party add-ons are hooked into IE via software installations. Without knowing the name and of the add-on and Vendor's name, the general advice is to remove the corresponding software via Add/Remove Programs. For example, to remove Google Toolbar Add-on, uninstall Google Toolbar via Add/Remove Programs applet.

However, if you need to disable or delete the add-on without using Add/Remove Programs, you may try ToolbarCop utility: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/toolbarcop.htm. ToolbarCop helps you disable or delete BHOs, Browser Extensions, Toolbars, Explorer bars (a.k.a Side-search bars), third-party Name-Space Handlers, Download Accelerator handlers, Context-menu extensions in Internet Explorer.

BTW, "Research" extension is a part of Microsoft Office installation, IIRC.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

I'm confused by the reply below. Add/Remove Programs displays programs
and updates which don't correspond to what the IE "manage add-ons"
displays, so I don't see how this function can be used to delete add-ons
entries.

I can't seem to copy/paste my add-on display into this note here ... it
includes such entries as
... Bad Download Blocker - (not verified) Safer Networking Limited - BHO
... eBay Homepage - no publisher - Browser Extension
... Research - no publisher - Browser Extension
and other Browser Helper Objects and Extensions, a Norton Antivirus
toolbar entry, and Active X controls from Microsoft and Macromedia. All
of these are likely safe, altho I would wish more info on what the
"Research" Extension is all about.

--- Frank
 
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