Use the troubleshooting steps below.
Method 1: Clear cached data.
To determine whether a performance issue or an error message is caused
by corruption in the cached data used by Internet Explorer 7, clear the
cached data:
Open Internet Explorer 7 > Tools > Delete Browsing History > Delete All
'Also delete files and settings stored by add-ons' > OK.
Test Internet Explorer to see if it works correctly. If the problem
still occurs, try Method 2.
Method 2: Run Internet Explorer 7 in 'No Add-Ons' mode
Third-party add-ons for Internet Explorer, such as ActiveX controls and
browser toolbars, can cause problems if an add-on is damaged or if an
add-on conflicts with Internet Explorer 7. To determine whether the
error is caused by an add-on, run Internet Explorer 7 in 'No Add-Ons' mode:
Start > type Internet Explorer in the Start Search box > click Internet
Explorer (No Add-Ons)
Test Internet Explorer to see if it works correctly. If the problem
still occurs, try Method 3. If the problem no longer occurs, one (or
more) add-ons is causing the problem. In this case, use the Manage
Add-ons tool to determine which add-on is causing the problem:
1) Open Internet Explorer 7 > Tools > point to Manage Add-ons > click
Enable or Disable Add-ons.
2) In the Show box, select 'Add-ons that have been used by Internet
Explorer' to display all add-ons that are installed on the computer. For
each item in this list, select the add-on, and then click Disable under
Settings. When you have disabled all the items in this list, click OK.
3) Exit and then restart Internet Explorer 7 > Tools > point to Manage
Add-ons > click Enable or Disable Add-ons. Now enable a single add-on,
then exit and restart Internet Explorer 7 to see if it works properly.
Repeat until you determine which add-on causes the problem to occur.
After you have used this process to determine which add-on(s) causes the
problem, disable that add-on or uninstall the software that installed
the add-on. (You won't need to uninstall the software if it gives you
the option of not using a browser add-on.) In any case you should
contact the vendor that provided the add-on for a solution.
Method 3: Reset Internet Explorer 7 settings
A performance issue or an error message may be caused by inappropriate
configuration settings. Reset Internet Explorer 7 to its default (i.e.,
original) configuration. This step will also disable any add-ons,
plug-ins and toolbars that are installed. Although this solution is
quick, it also means that if you want to use any of those add-ons in the
future, they must be reinstalled. To reset Internet Explorer 7 settings:
Open Internet Explorer 7 > Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab >
under Reset Internet Explorer Settings, click Reset.
Method 4: Prevent interference by third party security applications
Many third party security applications (security suites, anti-virus
programs, anti-spyware programs, firewalls, etc.) interfere with
Internet Explorer's normal operation to protect your computer from
malicious software. Review your security software's settings to see if
this may be happening to you. If so, you may decide to alter your
program settings.
Method 5: Identify and remove viruses and other malicious software
Issues with Internet Explorer 7 can also be caused by the presence of
viruses or other malicious software, collectively known as malware.
Since malware can be very hard to detect you typically need to scan your
system for malicious software with /several/ of the better online
scanners (Kaspersky, Eset, Trend Micro, Panda, Sophos, Symantec etc.) If
necessary, submit a HiJack This log to one of the expert web sites that
analyze these logs.
Method 6: Undo the changes made by registry cleaners
Issues with Internet Explorer can also be caused by the use of so-called
registry cleaners, which often damage a computer, sometimes irreparably.
If you were using a registry cleaner and it has an undo function, try
undoing the changes that may have caused your problems to occur.
Installation issues:
If you installed IE 7 on Windows XP SP2, you may have a damaged
installation of Internet Explorer 7. In this event try to uninstall IE 7
(which returns you to IE 6) by following these directions /exactly/:
http://www.ie-vista.com/kbase2.html
and then re-install IE 7 following these directions /exactly/:
http://www.ie-vista.com/known_issues.html#pre-install.
Rather than installing through Microsoft Update, download the IE 7
installer from Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx
and install directly from your hard disk.
