Computer help, please (vanity)

me

[Leaning Right]

So I'm downloading a Microsoft security update (at microsoft.com) and I get a message: Do you want to update to IE8? Why not, I says to myself, so I check the box. Well, something went wrong. My Favorites, Tools, etc. line has disappeared. And right-click no longer works when I'm online. Any help would be appreciated.

[Leaning Right]

I tried System Restore, but that didn't help. I'm running XP, with (I think) Service Pack 3. Microsoft's site now tells me that IE8 is installed. I'd just as soon have my old IE 7 back. But how?

[soycd]

I don’t have XP up in front of me but maybe you can go to add/install programs and uninstall IE8. it will default back to the previous version if you uninstall it.

[vigilante2]

Stop using Internet Explorer..I use Firefox

[Berosus]

I think Microsoft just stopped supporting Windows XP. Personally I’ve stayed away from Internet Explorer since 2004, because it is slower and less safe than other browsers, when it comes to malware. Currently my default browser is Google Chrome, and if that doesn’t do what I want, like saving/reading .MHT files, I use Opera.

[deport]

good luck you may try the following, right side click for the correct version

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-help#windows=windows-7

[mountainlion]

Stop using Internet Explorer..I use Firefox

If you have a 64 bit machine you can use Waterfox an update of firefox.

[Rodamala]

I felt this burn myself... Pretty sure it was going from 7 to 8... and the browser performance just went completely in the toilet.

I was beyond livid. I think my solution was to completely delete 8 and then reinstall 7 from the CD that came with the computer... I vowed to never ever update to the newest version of Internet Exploder. Good Luck.

[lefty-lie-spy]

It’s working just as designed. Use Firefox or Chrome for your browser. Purchase and install Windows 7 Upgrade and some of the Microsoft disasters will go away.

[South40]

Just uninstall IE8, which will revert you back to IE7.

[dainbramaged]

I believe Microsoft support for XP ends on April 8th.

[oh8eleven]

To uninstall Internet Explorer 8:

• Open Programs and Features by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Programs and Features.
• In the left pane, click View installed updates.
• Select Internet Explorer 8, and then click Uninstall.
• Follow the instructions on the screen to uninstall Internet Explorer 8.
• When you're done, restart Windows.

If you don't reinstall Internet Explorer 8, your computer will revert to Internet Explorer 7 and the Internet Explorer 7 cumulative updates that were on your computer before installing Internet Explorer 8.
Run Windows Update to be sure your computer isn't missing the latest Internet Explorer 7 updates.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/uninstall-internet-explorer

[LowOiL]

Switched to Firefox... never went back to Microsoft browser, especially since I found the privacy add-ons to customize Firefox.

[Dallas59]

Use Firefox. You can back up your BM and import them on every Firefox update.

[Billthedrill]

Wait, is it just the toolbar that's disappeared? Try right clicking on the grey area just under the address window. You'll get a dropdown containing Menu Bar, Favorites Bar, etc. Check the ones you want and they should reappear.

If I've misinterpreted, please forgive me. Good luck!

[sagar]

Use Chrome. It is a much better browser than from Microsoft.

[Leaning Right]

Thanks for the suggestion. But when I tried to unstall IE8 from the Add/Remove list, I got a message that says a file must be located for “Windows NT Service Pack Uninstall Directory’ (whatever that is). It will not let me continue with the IE8 uninstall.

[Leaning Right]

Yes, the toolbar just plain disappeared. But the right-click function no longer works on any web page. Right-click still works on the desktop, so I know it’s not a mouse problem.

[Leaning Right]

Thanks for the suggestion...but I get some sort of error message when I tried your suggestion. Please see my post #16.

[dangerdoc]

Microsoft made using IE too painful. I went to firefox a few years back and now bounce between chrome and firefox. In fact I have both open doing different things right now.

I just fired IE up to see if I could help, they have changed it again, there are about 20 icons across the top, most of unclear purpose.

Is there a reason you you IE? If not, there are more consistent options available.

[Leaning Right]

I use IE mainly because some older relatives also use my computer, and change does not come easy to them. If I switch to Firefox or Chrome, will things look that much different?