If you find that your Internet Explorer is Freezing or Crashing frequently in Windows or if it does not load or start, here are some trouble-shooting steps you may try:

1. Run your anti-virus and an anti-spyware, to check for malware infections. Microsoft Security Essentials is a good freeware Anti-Virus from Microsoft.
2. Clear Cache. Or else run your Junk Cleaner or CCleaner. In IE, click Tools > Internet options > Security > Reset all Zones to Default level
3.  If still you find your IE giving problems, close it and run IE (No Add-ons). This opens up the browser without loading any add-ons, toolbars or plug-ins.
4. Run sfc /scannow and at the end reboot if asked for. This will replace corrupted system files if any.

If you find it running OK, then the problem is most probably caused by an addon. In such a case then you have two options :

•  Use the manage Add-ons tool, and disable each one after the other to find out which one is causing the problem.
•  Else in Internet Options, go to Advanced Tab and click on Reset tab. Restart IE. This step deletes all temp files, disables any add-ons, plug-ins, toolbars and also resets all changed settings to default. Although this is a quick-fix, you will have to re-install the add-ons. The settings which are affected by this are mentioned here. More on the Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature of Internet Explorer HERE.

Internet Explorer Freezing Or Crashing

If you feel the need to Repair Internet Explorer, then this article will guide you. Also if your Internet Explorer Freezes or Restarts frequently, check out Microsoft’s Interactive SelfHelpPage for IE.

Raghu Boddu, former Microsoft MVP Awardee, also suggests you try the following:

He recommends that you install the Microsoft Update KB928089 for Internet Explorer 7 on Windows Vista.

However if you find that the problem still persists, you may have to make a few changes in the Registry. Do back up your registry and/or create a System Restore Point, before making any changes.

Run regedit and navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings

Right-click in the right page and select New.
Create a New DWORD value called “MaxConnectionsPerServer”
Double-click “MaxConnectionsPerServer” and give the value as “10″
Create another new DWORD with the name “MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server”
Double-click it and give the value as “10″.
Save and Exit from the registry.
Restart Windows.

Additionally also see it the following registry subkey is enabled:

If it is absent, no issues. But if it is present and of its DWORD value is set at 1, change this value to 0, Click OK and Exit.

You may also request a fix if Windows Internet Explorer crashes when you use it to visit a Web site. Click KB935544. To order a fix click KBHotfix.

UPDATE: Microsoft has released a Fix it to fix issues like Internet Explorer freezes, running slow, security issues. You may want to check it out too!