To find a Web site when a Web address doesn't work

If the Web address (URL) you type in the Address bar or click on a Web page doesn't work and you get a message that the site could not be found, now there's help. Internet Explorer can automatically use a search service to search for Web addresses containing the name or word you type. For example, you might type website, and Internet Explorer would try to go to a Web site named www.website.com. But if Internet Explorer cannot find a site with that name, it can search for sites that contain that name in the Web address, and either suggest possible matches or automatically go to the first match.

1. On the View menu in the browser, click Internet Options.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Under Search when URL fails:

   If you don't want Internet Explorer to search for a similar address, click Never search.

   If you want Internet Explorer to ask if you want it to search when an address fails, click Always ask.

   If you want Internet Explorer to search without asking first, click Always search.

   If you want Internet Explorer to search for the address using a different domain, select the Autoscan common root domains check box.

   Note

   
   
   • A domain is specified by the three-letter extension at the end of the address that tells you what kind of site it is. For example, if you type the wrong domain type, such as www.microsoft.org, Internet Explorer can check the root "microsoft" with other domains, such as .edu, .com, and .gov. It would suggest a match of www.microsoft.com.

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