Error Message "Windows Cannot Find Iexplore.exe" Is Displayed When Opening Internet Explorer (299294)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q299294

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start Microsoft Internet Explorer, you may receive the following error message:
Windows cannot find iexplore.exe

CAUSE

This issue may occur if you have deleted the Iexplore.exe file from your computer, or if you have moved it from the \Program Files\Internet Explorer folder.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue:
  1. On the Start menu, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
  2. In the Search for files or folders named box, type iexplore.exe. In the Look In box, click Local Hard Drives, and then click Search Now.
  3. If the file is not found, go to step 4.

    If the file is found, you can do either of the following:
    • Move the file to the \Program Files\Internet Explorer folder, and then start Internet Explorer. If this does not resolve the issue, rename the file by changing the file name extension to .old, and then proceed to step 4.

      -or-

    • Rename the file by changing the file name extension to .old, and then proceed to step 4.

  4. Insert the Microsoft Windows Millennium CD into the CD or DVD-ROM drive.
  5. On the Start menu, click Run.
  6. In the Open box, type msconfig, and then click OK.
  7. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click Extract File.
  8. In the Specify the system file you would like to restore box, type iexplore.exe, and then click Start.
  9. In the Restore from box, click Browse, and then browse to the X:\Win9x folder where X is your CD or DVD-ROM drive, and then click OK.
  10. In the Save file in box, click Browse, browse to the Program Files\Internet Explorer folder, and then click OK.
  11. Click OK to extract the file.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/30/2002
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB299294
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.