Internet Explorer and Windows Protection

[Tom in TAmpa]

I have tried to rename or delete IEXPLORER.exe and within
a few seconds, the original (89kb) file reappears. I am
using WinXP Home, SP1a and IE 6. My effort is to rename
Firefox.exe (mozilla) as IEXPLORER.exe thus tricking
Windows into thinking it is the original browser. Since
IEXPLORER.exe has NO popup/popunder capability, I get
slammed with ads and spyware. These programs do not even
require that I visit a particular site, nor do they
require that a browser be open to activate. This is
intrusive and since Microsoft has chosen to ignore this
problem I want to take action, but Windows is preventing
me. Some of this spyware/adware has caused programs I am
running to exit just to load a popup, often losing the
data I was editing.

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Tom

IE is a core part of the Windows XP program, therefore, you *can not* delete
it, nor should you try. Doing so will perhaps cause serious damage to your
program.

To set Firefox as your default browser, simply open the Tools | Options |
General tab, Browser Default, and then check the box next to Firefox should
check to see if it is the default browser when starting then click on the
Check now tab, and when it says that Firefox is now your default browser
just click yes.

Good Rule of Thumb: Never delete or disable anything until you are *sure* it
will not cause harm to your system.

Hope this helps.

Jan

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[Tom in Tampa]

-----Original Message-----
Hi Tom

IE is a core part of the Windows XP program, therefore, you *can not* delete
it, nor should you try. Doing so will perhaps cause serious damage to your
program.

I know IE is a core part of the OS...I am not trying to
delete of uninstall IE, I just want to rename
IEXPLORE.EXE and replace that file with Firefox by
renaming it to IEXPLORE. That should work. At 89K,
IEXPLORE cannot be that significant a part of the OS,
just a loader file. This way all of the IE shortcuts will
instead call Firefox. All of those hijackers and
advertisers will see IEXPLORE and try to patch it or send
popups, but since Firefox perfectly blocks them...nada. I
am pretty good working with Windows and OSes, in fact I
teach the stuff and manager some 10 networks. You can do
anything you want in an experimental way as long as you
set a restore point first. Of course there is
always "Reinstall Windows." Remember to keep current
backups. I am still waiting for a way to rename IEXPLORE
and make it stick.

 

[Don Varnau]

Hi,
IE and Windows Explorer are significantly integrated. It would be better (as
Jan suggested) to make Firefox the default browser and keep IE for sites
which require it, such as Windows Update.

If you have ads popping up when IE isn't open, you need to remove the
malware.
Work through the solutions (CWShredder, Ad-aware, Spybot) at
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
Also note the security tips on that page and at
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Additional information at:
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

You might be receiving Messenger spam.
See: http://www.stopmessengerspam.com/

Hope this helps,
Don
--
MVP IE/OE
Please reply to the newsgroup so that others may participate.

"Tom in TAmpa" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

 

[Robert Aldwinckle]

I have tried to rename or delete IEXPLORER.exe and within
a few seconds, the original (89kb) file reappears. I am
using WinXP Home, SP1a and IE 6.

Sounds like somebody put iexplore.exe in the dllcache?

<title>KB222193 - Description of the Windows File Protection Feature</title>


---

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
Windows into thinking it is the original browser. Since
IEXPLORER.exe has NO popup/popunder capability, I get
slammed with ads and spyware. These programs do not even
require that I visit a particular site, nor do they
require that a browser be open to activate. This is
intrusive and since Microsoft has chosen to ignore this
problem I want to take action, but Windows is preventing
me. Some of this spyware/adware has caused programs I am
running to exit just to load a popup, often losing the
data I was editing.
.

I understand Microsoft is FINALLY coming out with a popup
blocker in an update to IE. 'Bout time!

I am still curious about renaming IE. No one needs IS for
Windows Update. Just set the updates to Auto and
Microsoft will send an alert when there are updates. They
install without opening the browser. I certainly know
that IE and Windows are tightly integrated...that's why
they were sued. But the IEXPLORER.exe file is not going
to crash Windows if it is renamed. It is only 89K. In
itself, I do not believe, this file is a critical Windows
file. MS may want us to think that. The critical IE code
is located in numerous dlls and various other files.