Why does Internet Explorer 7 crash frequently?

When I am browsing, IE7 will crash randomly. It's not at the same spot/Web site but randomly. What's going on?

BTW, I just downloaded Firefox and I am testing it out. So far it seems stable.

 

1. You might have some third party app using it and crashing it.
2. Possible spyware/virus
3. Bad Adobe install


The list is long and distinguished. I've never had IE crash on me on its own. It crashed due to third party issues.

 

Maybe it's time for a reformat.

 

Yes, or use Chrome, Opera, Firefox.

 

IE7 + Flash Player 10 + Flash filled web pages = IE 7 crash without any memory/CPU spike.

 

Not worth it

 

Because it's rubbish?

You could try updating flash if you are using an older version? You could also try IE8 RC1, but for me that was MORE crashprone.

 

Not for me. IE8 RC1 is stable and is faster then IE7. IE7 is pathetically slow. Especially when IE7's phishing filter is used. But compared to FF, IE has a long way to go. MS should unbundle IE from the OS. This would make it stable and definitely would make it more secure. One nice feature for IE8 RC1 is that it will shut down a tab that has crashed rather then bring down the whole browser. I'm thinking IE8 will be even better when its introduced with the final release of windows seven. MS is definitely going the right direction again with leaning out the code. Its been years of bloat and more bloat so its a good that they finally got the message. I'm still wondering why they still have not put a spell checker in IE. But as for IE 7 that browser was a real disappointment and will always be associated with the negativeness of vista. IE7 will be remembered as the browser that shipped with the doomed vista. I'd rather use IE6 over IE7 and I do with my older desktop for the few times that require that when using that machine.

 

Use Firefox or Chrome much much better

 

Is there any way to fix the Flash problems with IE 7? I was using the latest version of Flash with IE 7.

 

How long has this been going on? If its something in the registry you might try using an older restore point. If your serious about doing a format then I would at least try the oldest restore point first. And since IE is tied to the OS if there is something wrong with IE then there may very well be a problem in the OS as well.. So a reformat could be worth it unlike what some may tell you. Also make sure you do all the windows updates and run virus/spyware test. I just started using Norton 2009 internet security and unlike the older versions it is extremely light on resources and the detection rate is insane. It found several problems on my desktop that nod32 failed to pick up. I suggest running that as well, (they have a trial version).