Windows 10, Add remove programs does not re-enable Internet explorer 11

Question

I am running a windows 10 OS and trying to operate QuickBooks which requires that you must have Internet explorer on your pc to use.

I need this QuickBooks program for my school, and I have tried everything I can think of. When I search for Internet Explorer on the search bar nothing comes up.

I really have tried everything. The main problem seems to be in the Windows add remove featured programs dialog box. When I click internet explorer to be enabled, it goes through the normal, "setting up your system" when completed, it says to restart. I restart, come back and the box is unchecked. Internet explorer does not exits.

I need QuickBooks to work on this laptop. I desperately need it for school. Is there no where to hard install or force my pc to enable internet explorer? I have edge, and can't revert to internet explorer because the option just isn't there for me. I hope someone can help.

Please note: I have contacted my college IT department, they have failed to make internet explorer active/enabled on my pc. We ran updates, as well as a registry check to no avail. I have also sent an email to QuickBooks asking them what to do. I am just falling behind on school work and am paranoid. I do appreciate your help.

• Dilara

Answer 1

I had the same problem after upgrading a Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 10 Home. Internet Explorer was not visible in searches, and the directory for the application contained only residual files.

I tried reinstalling via the IE 11 offline installer, but the installer told me that IE was already installed in a later version.

Under "Add programs and features", Internet Explorer 11 was unticked. If i ticked the box, and pressed OK, nothing happened, except the dialog closed.

My solution was the following:

• Go into program and features under Add/Remove applications
• There I saw Internet Explorer unticked as described.
• Tick the box, AND UNTICK IT AGAIN!
• Press Okay in the bottom, and answer YES when Windows asks if you want to remove Internet Explorer 11.
• Reopen Add programs and features, and TICK the box. Press OK to leave the dialog.
• Windows will now ask if you want to install Internet Explorer 11, press YES.
• Reboot the computer

This restored my Internet Explorer, both when searching and in the taskbar. The version is also the latest, without any issues (that I have encountered).

Answer 2

Alright, after trying many different methods like fixing registry and trying all the suggested Microsoft solutions... I had no choice but to reset my laptop. That did resolve the issue.

I just did the simple, keep my files reset. IE now is turned on in the Add remove windows programs options and QuickBooks work just fine.

Thanks for all the previous input anyway though I appreciate it.

To reset your PC without loosing your files:

• Go to setting in windows start.
• Go to Update and Security
• Then to Recovery
• Reset this PC > Click on Get started
• Here you can completely reset your PC or do a partial reset where you can keep your files
• IE will now be able to stay on if you couldn't turn it back on again because you turned it off like I had for what ever reason.

Answer 3

Type this in Powershell

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64 –Online

If that doesn't work. then get a Win10 CD or download the ISO and type this

dism /online /add-package /packagepath:E:\sources\sxs\microsoft-windows-internetexplorer-optional-package.cab

Answer 4

Had the same issue, extracted win 10 ISO, then into "sxs" and extracted the IE package as named below. just replace after packagepath with the path of your file location and enter.

dism /online /add-package /packagepath:D:\Win10_20H2_English_x64\sources\sxs\Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer-Optional-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~en-US~