I've lost my IE icon and search doesn't find it in desktop or apps. How do I retrieve it? I can't open Internet Options in the Control Panel either.

Hi Frank,

Thanks for posting your query in Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that you are unable to find Internet Explorer icon on Desktop and Start Screen. Also, you are unable to open Internet Options in the Control Panel.

Please answer the following questions for better understanding of the issue:

1) What were the recent changes made to the computer prior to the issue?

I would suggest you to perform the methods suggested below:

Method 1: Open Internet Explorer from Run Window

a) Press Windows key + R (opens the Run window)

b) Type "iexplore.exe" and press Enter.

Now if you are able to open Internet Explorer then follow Method 2

Method 2: Alternative steps to create a shortcut to Internet Explorer

1) Carefully select and then copy the following command:

"%programfiles%\internet explorer\iexplore.exe"

Important Make sure that you select the quotation marks (“) at the beginning and end of this command.

2) Right-click a blank space on your desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut.

3) In the Create Shortcut Wizard, right-click the Type the location of the item box, and then click Paste to paste the command that you copied in step 1.

4) Click Next.

5) In the Type a name for this shortcut box, type Internet Explorer.

6) Click Finish.

A shortcut to Internet Explorer is created on your desktop. You can double-click this icon to open your home page in Internet Explorer.

Method 3: Remove and re-add the Internet Explorer from Add remove feature

Refer to the link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/turn-windows-features-on-off

Hope the above information helps you resolving your query, if you have any query related to Windows feel free to post. I will be glad to help you.

Thanks & Regards!

how do I retrieve my Internet icon on my computer running Windows 7

I have followed all protocols for Windows7 updates for my Hp Pavilion 64bit PC.

I have tried all programs(I guess) to repair / uninstall/ re-install IE11. I have ver IE11+. The Norton Diagnostic program says its vetr9.11.9600.16476.

The IE Icon is missing in the Programs etc feature in the Control Panel. It is missing from programs in general. All I get is the msg: Internet Explorer Not Responding.

I am unable to uninstall anything for IE11. There is an Windows Update dated 11/23/2013 that I can uninstall. 

I am using as backup the Firefox browser or Google Chrome.

Frank Bailey

Thanks

I still am unable to open Internet Tools in the Control Panel.

Try opening it as an elevated task.   E.g. one way would be to open Command Prompt (Admin) by pressing  Win-X A   and then in its  Command line  issuing:   control.exe  inetcpl.cpl

Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle

Hi Frank,

 

Thanks for posting your query in Microsoft Community Forums.

 

 

I understand that you are unable to find Internet Explorer icon on Desktop and Start Screen. Also, you are unable to open Internet Options in the Control Panel.

 

 

Please answer the following questions for better understanding of the issue:

 

1) What were the recent changes made to the computer prior to the issue?

 

 

 

I would suggest you to perform the methods suggested below:

 

 

 

 

Method 1: Open Internet Explorer from Run Window

 

 

a) Press Windows key + R (opens the Run window)

 

b) Type "iexplore.exe" and press Enter.

 

 

 

Now if you are able to open Internet Explorer then follow Method 2

 

 

 

Method 2: Alternative steps to create a shortcut to Internet Explorer

 

1) Carefully select and then copy the following command:

"%programfiles%\internet explorer\iexplore.exe"

Important Make sure that you select the quotation marks (“) at the beginning and end of this command.

 

2) Right-click a blank space on your desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut.

 

 

3) In the Create Shortcut Wizard, right-click the Type the location of the item box, and then click Paste to paste the command that you copied in step 1.

 

4) Click Next.

 

 

5) In the Type a name for this shortcut box, type Internet Explorer.

 

6) Click Finish.

 

 

A shortcut to Internet Explorer is created on your desktop. You can double-click this icon to open your home page in Internet Explorer.

 

 

 

 

Method 3: Remove and re-add the Internet Explorer from Add remove feature

 

Refer to the link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/turn-windows-features-on-off

 

 

 

 

Hope the above information helps you resolving your query, if you have any query related to Windows feel free to post. I will be glad to help you.

 

Thanks & Regards!

1. The only recent change was downloading and installing Windows 8 Pro (from Win 7).  After the install, I had IE 10 which installed with Windows 8 but when the taskbar icon nor the app icon worked to open IE, I unpinned from the taskbar and app tile.  At that point the IE taskbar icon and app icon disappeared.

I found another posting since placing mine and found out how to add the IE icon back to the taskbar and app tile, which I was successful in doing but neither icon opened IE.

None of the methods you suggested were successful. However, I was finally able to get IE back when I noticed that in the Program Access and Computer defaults IE was disabled. After enabling IE and a very long restart (over an hour), suddenly I have IE back now.

Thanks for your assistance.  Unfortunately, I have no idea how to explain exactly what I've done to get IE10 back.

I still am unable to open Internet Tools in the Control Panel.