Forum Moderators: phranque
Of course, if you really want to get rid of IE completely, just wipe the installation completely and install Linux instead. No IE, and a much better OS as well!
I don't know of a "hard reset" finction for IE, but usually if you can clear out everything from Temporary Internet Files and stuff you're OK. However, the tracker might be a BHO (Browser Helper Object), which are installed programs (like the Google toolbar) and which should be removeable via Add/Remove Programs.
For the Office on Linux question, Microsoft Office does not run natively on Linux. There are two options: first is to run OpenOffice.org instead, or to use a program such as CrossOver Office, which will allow you to run the Windows version of Office under Linux.
If you want to try OpenOffice, there is a Windows version too which can be installed alongside MS Office, so you can test it to see if it meets your needs. OO can open the overwhelming majority of MS Office documents without problems, and it has some other advantages such as one-click PDF generation and fully-open, compact file formats. OO's biggest disadvantage is the lack of a Microsoft Access equivalent (there is no Outlook equivalent either, but that can be replaced by running the Evolution email client instead).