Why do I need to reset settings in Internet Explorer?

Well, Internet Explorer currently 3-rd most popular browser after Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. And it is still one of the main goals for hackers, hijackers and advertisers. If you are an Internet Explorer user (version is not so important) here I will show you how to reset settings in Internet Explorer in case they were changed by a hijackers or any other reason and you want to revert it. By settings I mean: homepage, default search engine, various site preferences and cookies. This will not basically affect your passwords.

Reset IE settings manually

Here is manual (standard) way to reset your browser settings:

  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Find cogwheel in the top right corner of the window and click on it
  3. In the menu find Internet Options and click on it
  4. internet explorer cogwheel

  5. In opened window find Advanced tab and click on it
  6. internet options advanced tab

  7. In Advanced tab locate Reset button and click on it
  8. advanced tab reset button

  9. In opened window put a check near Delete personal settings checkbox and click Reset button
  10. reset delete personal settings

  11. Your Internet Explorer settings are now reset

Reset IE settings using avast! Browser Cleanup

One more way to reset settings of IE (8, 9, 10, 11) is to use excellent avast! Browser Cleanup utility. Here you can revert settings just by one click. Additionally, you can find and remove unwanted browser add-ons. Utility is free and can be downloaded here:

download button for avast! Browser Cleanup

avast browser cleanup internet explorer

Reset IE settings using Stronghold AntiMalware

One more method to reset Internet Explorer settings – use Norton Antispyware. Its tool called Reset Browsers Settings. This program also can find and remove adware, spyware, malware etc, and remove toolbars. Very useful software, and you can download it here:

download button for stronghold antimalware

stronghold antimalware reset browsers settings

How to protect settings in IE from changing

Although 90% of you my readers have antivirus software installed (avast!, AVG, Kaspersky, Norton, Avira etc), you still get infected with adware and hijackers. Due to some reason these antiviruses don’t stop such unwanted applications. Here I want to recommend 2 softwares that will not only protect you against those software but will help you to remove all ads form pages you visit (even YouTube!).

First is Norton – excellent antimalware suite that can remove adware, hijackers, toolbars, trojans, keyloggers and many more. Also it has several shields to protect your browsers from infiltration. It will not conflict with the antivirus software you have. Download it here:

download button for spyhunter

spyhunter main window

Second is Adguard. Adguard is basically developed to fight ads and banners on websites – it can cut advertisements from more than 20 browsers without damaging site layout, cut ads on YouTube and so on. One of the cool features is parental control and website phishing filter that will protect you from visiting harmful websites.

download button for adguard

adguard main window

Thanks for reading this. Hope this guide will be helpful.

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