running WXP without IE??

[Alex]

came across this sweet tool today and im definitely gonna burn a new install cd once sp2 comes out... now its possible to remove IE completely... im just wondering if its possible to run windows properly without it...

i mean when you open my computer etc its essentially ie thats browing all the folders right? will this option then just delete the standalone web browser and not the integrated parts?

this might be a dumber question than i anticipated...

thanks!

-frang

 

[daveshel]

Before there was IE, there was Windows Explorer. 'Shell Integration' blurred the line between them, made troubleshooting more difficult, killed Netscape and landed M$ in court. But theoretically, the code base should be severable. The scary thing is, there has been 6 years of development to Windows that assumes shell integration. How will Windows Media Player, for example, react to the loss of portions of its foundation? I will have to play around with it, because Firefox means no need for IE any more.

 

[Alex]

yeah im kinda worried about how certain programs will respond...

i guess it never hurt to have an extra browser anyway and sp2 will fix IE up a bit and block popups so thats not so bad although i love firefox and tabbed browsing in general

 

[tooltime]

i have read that ie is so integrated that is used in some os tasks...browsing files...

 

[Twista]

What about windows update? Doesnt work without IE. What about some sites that dont work right in mozilla/firefox? Your going to need IE for some things.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: Twista
What about windows update? Doesnt work without IE. What about some sites that dont work right in mozilla/firefox? Your going to need IE for some things.

I havent tested it to be certain but I'm pretty sure the WU client will work fine without IE; you only need IE if you want to see the WU website (as opposed to using the automatic updates client).

The real problem with removing IE was touched on by daveshel. There are literally thousands of applications that make use of the IE APIs to function; and I'm not just refering to microsoft's applications but also those developed by 3rd parties. Removing IE will likely cause you serious problems with many applications you use regularily.

Mostly for the sake of your 3rd party applications I highly reccomend that you leave IE as it is. Just set Mozilla to be your default browser and remove the shortcuts to IE.

-Erik

 

[stash]

now its possible to remove IE completely

No, it isn't.

Explorer, Help, Outlook, third-party programs, they all use IE.

If you want to read an amusing thread about "removing" IE, go here.

 

[Alex]

thanks for the feedback guys im just gonna leave it be!