Hi there ^^
So for 1 : use anything else than IE8. Perhaps the IE7Pro plugin will someday be updated for IE8 (if it's not already, I didn't follow it closely since I use Firefox) and will then have the option to hide that feature.
2 : you probably need to install or update the Flash Player Plugin. Go to adobe.com and look for it.
3 : Should be removable using add/remove programs in Control Panel, I guess ?