Internet Explorer is prone to plenty of issues. Sometimes the problems are fairly simple to track down; other times, it’s a matter of having to reset the browser to the default settings; there may even be times when the solution eludes you.

When you’re stumped, instead of pulling out your hair or re-installing Windows, try Anvisoft’s Anvi Browser Repair Tool. This time-saving tool is so effective that I now use it immediately when I detect an issue with Internet Explorer. (As of this writing, the tool only solves Internet Explorer issues; Firefox and Chrome versions are in the works.)

Anvi Browser Repair Tool can help fix the following issues:

  • Restore title bar
  • Restore Internet Explorer homepage
  • Block Windows startup pop-up
  • Restore Explorer Security Item
  • Repair Network Associated Items
  • Enable Internet Options
  • Repair Windows Safe Startup Items
  • Unlock Registry Editor
  • Restore IE Default Security Item
  • Repair default path
  • Restore default agreement
  • Remove Content Advisor
  • Repair file associations
  • Repair Windows IFEO hijack
  • Empty Outlook Express title bar
  • Restore IE desktop icon
  • Set IE as default browser
  • Restore IE favorites
  • Restore right-click menu
  • Remove browser cookies
  • Clear browsing history
  • Clear BHO (Browser Helper Object) plug-ins
  • Restore WinSockLSP
  • Reset DNS settings

Anvi Browser Repair Tool can also be used as a portable solution, so keep it with you on your flash drive and solve Internet Explorer issues quickly on the go.

Getting the tool

Anvi Browser Repair Tool is free. You will notice tiny advertisements in a small ticker at the top of the tool.

To get Anvi Browser Repair Tool, go to the Download page and download the executable file. Copy that file onto your flash drive, and you’re ready to go.

Using the tool

Anvi Browser Repair Tool is compatible with all versions of Windows from Windows XP on. Once the executable is on your flash drive, insert that drive into the machine that is giving you problems and fire up the BrowserRepairTool.exe file. When the tool opens (Figure A), you will see every issue that can be fixed.
Figure A

Not all options are selected by default. (Click the image to enlarge.)

To use this tool, select or de-select any of the options necessary and click the Fix button. You can also change the text for the title bar, as well as manually enter the default homepage. If you want to return Anvi Browser Repair Tool to its default settings, click the Default Setting button, and every setting will return to how it was when you first fired up the tool.

The sections for Firefox and Chrome are already in the tool. If you click on Firefox Repair or Chrome Repair, a popup will appear informing you that these features will arrive in version 2.0.

Another nice feature of the tool is the ability to quickly reset the DNS settings for Internet Explorer. At the top, you will see the Reset DNS Settings drop-down. From that drop-down, you can select from these DNS servers:

  • Google DNS
  • OpenDNS
  • OpenDNS Family
  • Norton DNS
  • Comodo Secure
  • Scrubit DNS
  • DNS Advantage

You can select which DNS providers you would like Internet Explorer to be set to (or leave it blank if you do your own DNS).

Warning

It isn’t clear what some settings, such as Block Windows Startup Pop-up, actually do. The Restore WinSockLSP option should be able to repair corrupt WinSock settings by restoring it to its default. I believe this option will run the netsh winsock reset catalog command.

If you are unfamiliar with an option, you should look into before attempting to use it. But before you set and unset options, use the Browser Repair Tool defaults and see if those don’t resolve your issues.

Conclusion

If Internet Explorer is compromised by malicious software, this handy, portable tool might be your best chance at quickly repairing the default Windows browser. If this doesn’t work, you can always roll back Windows to a pre-infected state.