FAQ #20: Missing Internet Explorer in Windows 10

Solution 1: Enabling Explorer from Windows Features

Windows has a utility called ‘features’ from where you can enable different applications and modules to run on your computer. This is usually used to control which older applications will be running at any instant. We can use Windows Features to disable and then enable IE to force it to refresh itself.

1. Press Windows + S, type “windows features” in the dialogue box and open the applications.
2. Once in Windows Features, locate the entry Internet Explorer 11. Uncheck Press OK.
3. Now open Windows Features again and check the entry. Press OK and restart your computer.
4. Now search the start menu for Internet Explorer. You can also use Windows + S to search for the program.

Solution 2: Using command prompt

Another solution which worked for some users was disabling Internet Explorer manually using DISM command, clearing some caches and then enabling it again. There are many cases where Internet Explorer gets corrupt and because of this, you might find it missing from your computer.

1. Press Windows + S. type “command prompt” in the dialogue box, right-click on the application and select “Run as administrator”.
2. Once in elevated command prompt, execute the command listed below:

   dism /online /disable-feature:"Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64"

3. Now restart your computer and after restarting, execute the following commands in the correct order in an elevated command prompt:

   DEL /S /Q "%TMP%\*.*"
   
   DEL /S /Q "%TEMP%\*.*"
   
   DEL /S /Q "%WINDIR%\Temp\*.*"
   
   DEL /S /Q "%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temp\*.*"
   
   DEL /S /Q "%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temp\*.*"
   
   DEL /S /Q "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp\*.*"

4. After executing the above commands, we will re-enable Internet Explorer using the following command:

   dism /online /enable-feature:"Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64"

5. Restart your computer completely and check if Internet Explorer shows up.

References: https://fraserdirect.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4416574866445-FAQ-20-Missing-Internet-Explorer-in-Windows-10