function GetIEVersionStr: string;
var
  Reg: Registry.TRegistry; // registry access object
begin
  Result := '';
  Reg := Registry.TRegistry.Create;
  try
    Reg.RootKey := Windows.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE;
    if Reg.OpenKeyReadOnly('Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer') then
    begin
      if Reg.ValueExists('Version') then
        Result := Reg.ReadString('Version');
    end;
  finally
    Reg.Free;
  end;
end;
//delphi/2261