How to remove MSN Dell redirect?

  • If you have recently bought a Dell laptop (like me), you may have noticed that browsing to http://msn.com will result in a redirection to http://dell.msn.com. The fact that it's redirecting isn't such a big issue for me personally, however I do not like the fact that there is no transparent way of disabling this.


    After diving into some Internet Explorer log files, I discovered that some custom branding was applied when first running the browser.
    In C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\brndlog.txt something like this will be present:


    Code
    1. 03/09/2010 21:16:54 Branding Internet Explorer...
    2. 03/09/2010 21:16:54 Command line is "/ins:"C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Signup\install.ins" "


    The file "install.ins" is executed when Internet Explorer is ran for the first time or when all IE settings are reset (Extra -> Options -> Advanced -> Reset Internet Explorer Settings). Ok now it's time to fix this:


    • click Windows 7 Orb (former "Start"-button)
    • in the search field, type (do not hit enter): notepad
    • right click notepad and choose "Run as Administrator"
    • click "File" and than "Open"
    • browse to C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Signup\install.ins (64 bit) or C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Signup\install.ins (32 bit)
    • remove the following piece of code:

    • save the file and open Internet Explorer
    • now reset Internet Explorer by following these steps: Extra -> Options -> Advanced -> Reset Internet Explorer Settings
    • restart internet explorer and you should be all set and ready to go!


    That concludes my first blog post here, more to follow soon!

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Comments 1

  • Awesome!!
    Isn't it?
    Yes it is something more than awesome.