this method works flawless, have fun! http://toastytech.com/evil/lab.html and so installing IE5.5 along with active desktop: Installing Active Desktop Update While installing IE 5.5 SP2 Monday, 7. March, 05:34 me, windows, 7, seven ... without any IE version installed. (on a pure and clean system). Installing the Active Desktop Update along with IE 5.5 SP2 You can install the Active Desktop Update on Windows 95 along with IE 5.5 SP2. The option exists, but has been hidden because it must not be installed on Windows 98 or newer (already included). Here's how to proceed: 1- Download and run ie5setup.exe (or run that file from your downloaded package or CD). 2- When the License Agreement appears, a folder \Windows\temp\ixp000.tmp will be created. Download iesetup.inf in that folder, overwriting the existing file. This step is necessary to update the location of the files needed from the net to proceeded (but not if you are working from a full package or CD). 3- Locate iesetup.cif in the \Windows\temp\ixp000.tmp folder and open it in notepad. 4- Under the item [iE4Shell_Win], find the line that says UIVISIBLE=0 and change it to read UIVISIBLE=1, then save the file. This will enable the hidden Active Desktop Update checkbox in IE's installation program. 5- Go back to License Agreement, check "accept" and click the Next Button, then choose Install Minimal or customize your browser and click [Next] again. 6- You will now see the Windows Desktop Update option immediately under Internet Explorer 5.5 Web Browser. Check both and select the other components you want, then proceed with the installation as usual.