You can take the icemaker out of the freezer, and no you don't have to shut the water off. There should be two screws holding it to the wall of the freezer, loosen them (don't take out) and lift the IM free of the wall. Then pull straight out, when you pull it out it shuts off the water. I have done this many times. Let it thaw in the sink, installation is the reverse of removal.