Return IE to its just-installed state with ease

Reader Orval Wood came up with a great question after reading about IE8-setup tweaks in my Dec. 16 Top Story, "10 great 'Do these first' tweaks for Windows 7."

    * "What happens if you already have IE8 set up? Can [the initial] IE8 settings be changed after it has been installed?"

Yes indeed, Orval. In fact, Microsoft made it incredibly easy — just a couple of clicks — to restore IE8 to its just-installed state. And you have the option of again running the Setup Wizard, if you so choose.

That's the lead item in my Q&A for Windows Secrets this week. the other topics:

• SD card stuck in write-protect mode
• Don't use "Stopzilla"
• Forcing Internet Explorer to full-size

The full-issue rundown:

Free content posted on Jan. 06, 2011:

TOP STORY By Lincoln Spector Four free programs to help control Windows 7 Use Fences to subdivide your desktop The Soluto solution for long boot times Find out everything about your computer Take control of when your PC powers down LOUNGE LIFE By Tracey Capen When Microsoft claims your Windows is invalid WACKY WEB WEEK By Revia Romberg Our favorite movie scenes: Action!

 
Paid content:

LANGALIST PLUS By Fred Langa Return IE to its just-installed state with ease Run IE8's Setup Wizard after installation SD card stuck in write-protect mode What about "Stopzilla?" Forcing Internet Explorer to full-size

WOODY'S WINDOWS By Woody Leonhard New Year's resolution: banish automatic updates A survey of the automatic update spectrum A recent history of flawed Microsoft updates What you need to do in order to protect yourself

BEST PRACTICES By Susan Bradley Protecting your browsing with EMET A professional tool that non-pros can use, too Building a hardened Internet Explorer

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