IE Enhanced Security Configuration Win2003

No, you need to change the default web page after removing it and possibly change the Security level in IE once its removed.

one of the reasons for having IE Enhanced Security Configuration on a Windows server is that one should NOT browse the internet with a server. It's a high security risk.

To go to Windows update, click start, programs, and at the top of the programs window you'll see "Windows Update". Click that. IE will open and request to add Windows Update to trusted Web sites. CLick ok. You'll have to go through this process a couple of times as you add the different web URLs for Windows Update to the trusted sites in IE.

another more preferable method is to visit Windows update and download Windows server 2003 SP1 on a computer that has internet access and burn the update to a CD. then install it on the server.

The best way to do all this is install and run Window Software Update Service. WSUS runs on your system and downloads all updates. Then you can approve and deploy updates needed network wide.

My question was:

How can I shut off the IE Enhanced Security Configuration on Windows 2003?

Add *.microsoft.com to the Trusted Web Sites in security to stop it from being blocked.

I don't get to the point where I can add sites. IE's toolbar says that I can't go there...that's it. I just want to get rid of the Enhanced Security Configuration.

Have you definately removed it from Add/Remove programs, Add/Remove Windows Components?

Tried it four times

Are you in a domain? If so GPO settings could be over riding anything you do, or they could not be allowing you to accesss the settings you need. Have you checked to see if there is any proxy info set up. Sometimes in my company i fill in fake proxy settings to stop internet use and then i lock the tab that allows you to get there.

Sorry, this is a standalone laptop. No domain, no proxy.

If you have already uninstalled the IE Enhanced Security Configuration, but still, you get the same problems, do these:
- go to your laptop and login as an administrator.
- remove the IE ESC.
- delete the account files you usually use on the laptop and then restart it.
You should be ok now ;)

What account files?

To get rid of the IE Enhanced Security Configuration, go to the Windows Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs. Select ADD/REMOVE Windows Components.
You will then see an option to remove "Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration". Uncheck the box, then click NEXT. This will uninstall it.