How to Turn Browser Add-Ons On or Off in Internet Explorer 7

July 11, 2008 by Jules
Filed under: IE7 
  1. Go to the Tools menu, select the Manage Add-ons option, and then click the Enable or Disable Add-ons option.
  2. Select an add-on name on the list and then click the Enable or Disable options under the Settings section.

    3. browser add ons
  3. Click the OK button.

Note: By default only the currently loaded add-ons are listed, if you want to see all add-ons, select Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer in the top selection.

Unfortunately you can only select one add-on at the time to enable or disable. If you want to run Internet Explorer 7 without any add-ons, you can use a command line switch. Open a command prompt and change the directory to “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer“.
Then type: iexplore.exe -extoff and press Enter.
Internet Explorer will now start with all add-ons disabled.

Comments



49 Comments on How to Turn Browser Add-Ons On or Off in Internet Explorer 7

  1. Debbie Heath on 13th Jul 2008 12:09 pm

    2. I still cant turn on add-ons because manage add-ons button is grey and not useable

  2. Jules on 14th Jul 2008 9:05 am

    3. @Debbie – Manage add-ons should not be disabled. Are you on a personal machine or a work machine? If at work, check if the IT people put a group policy in place that does not allow you to use the function.

    Secondly, try starting IE from the run box directly: press the Windows key together with the R-key. In the Run box, type “iexplore.exe” and press Enter. See if the menu is now enabled.

  3. Morgan on 10th Aug 2008 3:40 am

    4. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!JULES, it really worked.

  4. danny on 15th Aug 2008 8:12 pm

    5. hi ive gone to manage add-ons and there all enabled but im still getting the message internet explorer is currently running with add-ons disabled help

  5. Jules on 16th Aug 2008 1:49 pm

    6. @danny – Might be that one of the add-ons is causing a problem resulting in all add-ons being disabled by IE.
    Try this:
    - in the windows start menu, select All Program->Accessories->System Tools ->Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)
    - now use Tools->Internet Options->Programs tab->Manage Add-ons button in Internet Explorer.
    - disable all add-ons
    - start Internet Explorer normally
    - now try to reenable all add-ons one-by-one and see which one causes the problem

  6. mike on 13th Sep 2008 4:32 pm

    7. jules…help! :-)
    is there amy way to inable or disable all of them at once…same problem like danny’s,however,when I try to do them one by one it keeps freezing up…thanx a million!

  7. Jules on 14th Sep 2008 1:50 pm

    8. @mike – Other than starting IE7 without add-ons as outlined in my answer to Danny, there is one other option to disable the add-ons. Use the Reset button in the Internet Options menu. It will reset more than just the add-ons, but can help if you are experiencing add-on issues.
    Restart IE after clicking the Reset button and check if it runs with add-ons enabled again.
    If so, you can choose which add-ons to use again.

    Jules

  8. ardneliahs on 7th Oct 2008 3:39 pm

    9. thanks a lot jules

  9. pamela on 19th Feb 2009 8:16 am

    10. pls help!today the msg ‘IE is running w/add-ons disabled’came on, had no idea,echat w/tech support,they game me this site. Tried all the suggestions given to Debbie, Danny,etc. Now tools manage add-ons is grey have no access. Tried disabled all and enabled back, didn’t work, however when I try the run box it opens the old way, to my home page and no add-on msg shows, but if i begin on START, pres the e icon, which used to say internet not internet(no-adds-on), it brings me to the disabled IE message and so on. Don’t know what else to do, all add-ons are enable in the programs tab, any more suggestions?
    thanks Pamela

  10. Jules on 19th Feb 2009 1:41 pm

    11. @Pamela – Try right-clicking the E-icon and then look at the command line (or Target). This should be the path to the “iexplore.exe”. Possibly there is a parameter behind it called “-extoff”. If so, simply remove that as it instructs IE to start without odd-ons.

    Jules

  11. pamela on 20th Feb 2009 8:21 am

    12. Thanks Jules for your help, I’m not so good at this,but I did what u said and it worked! it removed the e(no add-ons) icon from the start list, however now I don’t see it anywhere in my programs. Only way to sign in to internet is through, start-run, that opens to my homepage. I used to sign on to internet w/start-e icon that said (internet), is there a way to put back the same way? please advice, thanks again, Pamela.

  12. Jules on 20th Feb 2009 1:42 pm

    13. @Pamela – Sure, simply create a desktop shortcut (right-click on the desktop -> New -> Shortcut), and let it point to the “ieplore.exe” in the “Program Files” folder on your system disk.
    You can double-click the shortcut to see if it works.
    Next, click-and-drag the shortcut and hover over the Start menu button until the menu opens. Move the cursor to the position where you want to insert the shortcut and drop it there.

    Jules

  13. trisha on 25th Feb 2009 8:23 pm

    14. hey… lik sum1 said i still cant turn my add-ons on.. cause the manage add-ons are grey… i relle need some help… the computer is mine so u kinda have 2 explain in in ah way 4 me 2 understand better cause i’m only 14..thanx

  14. trisha on 25th Feb 2009 8:29 pm

    15. hey,… i need some help turnin on my add-ons.. they dont seem 2 come on n the manage add-ons button is grey and not useable… i need u 2 explain it n ah way 4 me 2 understand cause i’m on 14 yrs old..plz help

  15. Jules on 25th Feb 2009 8:57 pm

    16. @Trisha – Did you try the Reset button in the Internet Options dialog box?
    Tools menu -> Internet Options -> Advanced tab -> Reset button.
    After that you should be able to turn the add-on on again.

    Jules

  16. trisha on 25th Feb 2009 9:20 pm

    17. wel i nw began 2 start internet explorer it pops up sayn ”Internet Explorer is currently running without add-ons” wat do i do nw???”"sigh”"

  17. trisha on 25th Feb 2009 9:24 pm

    18. i did the required information… but my add-ons are yet to appear on…

  18. Jules on 25th Feb 2009 11:33 pm

    19. @Trisha – You can try to open the Control Panel, select Internet Options and then select the Program tab.
    Next click the Manage add-ons button and see if you can enable/disable your IE add-ons that way.

    Jules

  19. trisha on 25th Feb 2009 11:51 pm

    20. i dont seem 2 quite find the IE…button!!!

  20. trisha on 27th Feb 2009 1:19 am

    21. hey….i’m waitn on a solution….plz help!

  21. Jules on 27th Feb 2009 2:04 am

    22. @Trisha – I fear that I have given you al the possible solutions I am familiar with for this problem. I suggest you try the various solutions in the article and earlier comments again. If that does not help, I do not know what causes it.
    The only thing left would be to reinstall IE…

    Jules

  22. trisha on 28th Feb 2009 6:14 pm

    23. ok….. but one more thing how do i reinstall IE…. what website do i go on…. ????

  23. Jules on 1st Mar 2009 10:46 am

    24. @Trisha – For IE7 you can use:
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx
    For the IE8 (beta) you can download it from:
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/Internet-explorer/beta/default.aspx
    If you still run IE6, I do not think you can download it from Microsoft anymore, so try:
    http://www.oldversion.com/Internet-Explorer.html
    Updates on IE6 are still available from Microsoft:
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/downloads/default.mspx

    Jules

  24. A T on 2nd Apr 2009 6:47 pm

    25. I accidentally removed IE from the Windows Component clean-up. Now clicking on the IE no longer opens the browser. I tried — downloading / reinstalling IE 8; — restoring to before the accident; — opening IE (no add-ons) to enable all and restart. Nothing worked!

    Please help find my old IE! Thanks.

  25. Jules on 4th Apr 2009 10:09 am

    26. @A T – You can try running a system scan to see if the Windows installation can repair itself and as a result correct the problem with IE.
    In a command prompt (as administrator), run: “sfc /scannow”
    That will scan you system and repair any errors found.

    Jules

  26. MrCivil on 4th Apr 2009 1:57 pm

    27. @Jules : Thanks you so much. My browser works normally again

  27. Gerou on 11th Apr 2009 1:19 pm

    28. Hey @Debbie, thanks for your recommendation. I’ve tried once and really worked.

  28. Rob on 1st May 2009 8:49 am

    29. My IE7 shuts down accessing following two URL: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&promoid=BUIGP and http://jdl.sun.com/webapps/getjava/BrowserRedirect?locale=en&host=java.com:80
    What else IE7 ‘Start without add-ons’ does that disabling all add-ons do not?
    If I start IE7 without add-ons, it solves the problem my IE7 ‘bombing out’. If in turn I disable all add-ons, I still have the problem. There must be something else that ‘Start without add-ons’ does. Does anybody knows what actually happens when IE7 ‘Start without add-ons’? What is exactly ‘disabled’? Can it be simulated step by step? Thank you.

  29. Robert Fisher on 19th May 2009 10:19 pm

    30. I downloaded IE8 off windows messenger, the download did not work correctly and messed up my add ons. My tools icon in the top right corner of the screen disappeared. How do I restore my add ons when I can’t use the tools icon to get to the manage add ons? How do I install my tools icon on the top right of the screen so I can use the manage add ons to turn on my add ons?

  30. Jules on 20th May 2009 10:59 am

    31. @Robert Fisher – I am not quite sure what tools icon you are referring to. You should be able to manage your add-ons from within Internet Explorer itself.
    Simply press the Alt key to bring up the menu, then select Manage Add-ons in the Tools menu.
    The you can select Enable or Disable Add-ons.

    Jules

  31. Zhukow on 3rd Jun 2009 12:50 am

    32. I hate this problem with the Add-onn being disable I thought I was the only one does microsoft knows about this? Thank you Jules I owed you one I will take you out for dinner just to make it up to you.

  32. AnnaMayted on 6th Jun 2009 10:33 pm

    33. I have a big issue with my internet explorer. I have tried going to the start menu and programs and system tools and internet explorer no add-ons. that will come up but everything is not available. not file, not edit, not tools, nothing. my add-ons were disabled and i dont see a thing to try to turn them back on. I have no idea what happened our how to reverse it. I even tried system restore on my comp and it still does not work. Please help me asap if possible.

  33. Jules on 7th Jun 2009 4:18 pm

    34. @AnnaMayted – If you start your internet explorer from the quick start menu or from the desktop, it will start like it used to, with the add-ons enabled.
    The fact that the menus are not available has nothing to do with add-ons being disabled, that indicates a different problem. I’d suggest you at least run a virus check.

    Jules

  34. Grace on 5th Jul 2009 7:15 pm

    35. Hey Jules. You probably get bored from answering this question over a million times. But my computer is acting grumpy and wont turn on the add ons. I tried all the suggestions above (even the restart and enable one) and it does seem to work. Please help me as soon as possible, I can live for a while without add ons but it is gettting very fraustrating. Thanks

  35. ron on 18th Jul 2009 3:59 pm

    36. thanks for your advice.
    i also found troubles to turn on the add-ons as it was grey and therefor not accessible.
    but thanks to your help i am able to manage them again.

    thanks again

  36. Jules on 18th Jul 2009 4:46 pm

    37. @Grace – If the tips in the article don’t help, you can try to reinstall IE, which might help.

    @ron – great it worked for you!

    Jules

  37. shayne on 7th Aug 2009 10:19 pm

    38. i tried what u said jules and i got to the enable or disable what do i do from there because it says everything is enabled but when i go to internet explorer it still says there are all disabled

  38. Jules on 8th Aug 2009 4:23 am

    39. @shayne – Did you try running “ieplore.exe” from the Start menu directly?
    Otherwise reinstalling IE7 might be an option to fix it.
    You can download it from the Microsoft site.

  39. Mike on 24th Aug 2009 5:35 pm

    40. Jules I have to say you impress me with your patience, especially when you dealt with the 14 year old that in my opinion was pretty rude (and used that insanely annoying text spelling if “U no wt i meen”

  40. Roxanne on 26th Aug 2009 2:58 pm

    41. Umm, hi, I’m having problems with only one certain website.

    http://www.pokecharms.com/ won’t work…it keeps displaying IE cannot display webpage. And when I try to click the Diagnose Connection Problems button, nothing happens. Would starting IE without add-ons fix it? And if I did turn it off, how would I turn it back on without restarting the comp?

  41. Jules on 26th Aug 2009 5:01 pm

    42. @Roxanne – The website seems to be valid as it has an IP address, but I can also not load it, not in IE, nor in FireFox. This is not related to your IE add-ons. Seems the site hosting has some problems, which is not something you can fix on your end.
    Have you ever been able to access the site, or can you still access it on a different computer?

  42. Jason on 30th Aug 2009 8:39 pm

    43. I downloaded google chrome and when I still try and use IE it will say all add ons are disabled. I’ve done everything here and nothing has worked for me at all. Please help me be able to use IE again without problems

  43. Jules on 31st Aug 2009 12:44 pm

    44. @Jason – Did you try uninstalling Chrome to see if that fixes it? You can always reinstall Chrome, but first see if that is the cause at all.

  44. Aaron on 12th Sep 2009 3:46 pm

    45. I erased something yesterday and now im getting the running with add ons disabled message. I tried disabling them and enabling them again and thats not helping. Any suggestions?

  45. wendy van rossum on 18th Oct 2009 11:18 pm

    46. thank u

  46. Kat on 23rd Oct 2009 1:59 am

    47. Thanks Jules Your a life saver!
    I Love You!

  47. ak on 13th Nov 2009 6:01 pm

    48. i was having hard time going back to normal explorer with add ons. tried enabling, disabling , nothing worked. finally went to start menu-internet explorer icon(add on disabled)- right clicked it- properties-deleted extension “ext” at the end of text mentioned in target section. closed browser, went to ie icon again, renamed it by right clicking it. it worked!!! Now i m back to normal ie 7. yeah!!!!!!!!

  48. Eddie on 28th Dec 2009 9:59 pm

    49. Thanks Jules, used the info on here to get a friend’s IE up and running in no time.

  49. lisa on 18th Feb 2010 2:45 am

    50. my bf some way have disabled the add-ons no help and it say IE is currently running with no add-ons i need 2 know how to turn it back on HELP ME PLZS

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