The following lists describe the various Internet Explorer options that you can set. You can set the preferences by clicking Preferences from the Edit menu.
Page & Link section | |
Text | Specifies the color of text on a page. Click the color box, and then select a color from the Color Picker menu. |
Background | Specifies the color of the page only if no background image is used. Click the color box, and then select a color from the Color Picker menu. |
Text Size | Specifies the text size of the page only if no other size has been specified by the Web author. |
Already Viewed | Specifies the color of links that you have already visited. This color will not be used if you have selected the Use style sheets check box or the Allow page to specify colors check box (located in the Web Content panel) and the Web page author has specified a different color. Click the color box and then select a color from the Color Picker menu. |
Not Yet Viewed | Specifies the color of links that you have not visited. This color will not be used if you have selected the Use style sheets check box or the Allow page to specify colors check box (located in the Web Content panel) and the Web page author has specified a different color. Click the color box and then select a color from the Color Picker menu. |
Underline Links | Specifies whether all links on your page should be underlined. This color will not be used if you have selected the Use style sheets check box or the Allow page to specify colors check box (located in the Web Content panel) and the Web page author has specified not to underline links. |
Toolbar Settings section | |
Show Icon Animation | Specifies whether the icon chosen from the menu should be displayed in the top-right corner of the toolbar. This icon animates when you download a page. Select an icon from the menu. |
Show Button Bar | The Button Bar provides quick access to frequently used commands, such as Stop and Refresh. To display the Button Bar in your browser window, select the check box, select a Button Bar from the menu, and then select a style from the Button Bar Style menu. |
Show Address Bar | Specifies whether to display the Address Bar. You use the Address Bar to type Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) or Web addresses, such as http://www.microsoft.com/. If you select the Show Address Bar check box, you can specify whether to use the AutoComplete feature. When the AutoComplete feature is turned on, you can type partial addresses such as http://www.mic and Internet Explorer will look at the text and search the names and addresses in your favorites list and history list for matching items. |
Show Status Bar | Specifies whether to display the Status Bar. |
Show Favorites Bar | Specifies whether to display the Favorites Bar. To add a Web site, open the Web site, hold down the mouse button, and then select Add Page to Favorites from the shortcut menu. Then, click Organize Favorites from the Favorites menu, and drag the favorite item to the Toolbar Favorites folder. |
Show Explorer Bar | Specifies whether to display the Explorer Bar. |
Show ToolTips | Specifies whether to display a description when the mouse pauses over a tool item. |
Use URL AutoComplete | Automatically completes words, phrases, or URLs for you as you start to type them into forms on the Web or into the Address Bar. |
Show Pictures | Specifies whether graphical images should be included when pages are displayed. Click Faster to display pictures quickly or click Better to display the best quality available. Pages that contain several graphical images sometimes display very slowly. If you want to display pages more quickly, make sure this check box is cleared. When this check box is cleared, you can still display images. To display one picture on a Web page, move the mouse pointer over the picture, hold down the mouse button, and then select Load Missing Image from the shortcut menu. |
Show Video | Specifies whether video clips should be included when pages are displayed. Pages that contain video clips sometimes display very slowly. If you want to display pages more quickly, make sure this check box is cleared. |
Animated GIFs | Specifies whether images defined as "animated images" should animate. When the Looping check box is selected, the image will animate continuously. |
ColorSync™ | Specifies whether to use ColorSync to render any JPEG images that contain ColorSync profiles to your computer monitor or printer. |
Play Sounds | Specifies whether music and other sounds should be included when pages are displayed. Pages that contain audio clips sometimes display very slowly. If you want to display pages more quickly, make sure this check box is cleared. |
Allow Page To Specify Colors | Specifies whether to display the colors specified by the Web author. For accessibility reasons, you may want to specify your own colors. |
Allow Page To Specify Fonts | Specifies whether to display the fonts specified by the Web author. For accessibility reasons, you may want to specify your own colors. |
Show Style Sheets | Specifies whether to display Web pages using the attributes given by the Web authors style sheet. If this check box is not selected, Web pages will be displayed using the information specified in the Browser Display. |
Show Frames | Specifies whether to display Web sites that use frames. You may not be able to view some Web pages if this check box is not selected. |
Active Content section | |
Enable Plug-ins | Specifies whether to automatically use plug-ins when requested by a Web site. A plug-in is an application that allows you to view items such as movie clips that your Web browser can't display itself. |
Enable ActiveX | Specifies whether to automatically run ActiveX Controls from Web sites. ActiveX is a set of technologies that enables interactive content for the World Wide Web. With ActiveX, Web sites can be enhanced with multimedia effects, interactive objects, and sophisticated application. |
Enable Scripting | Specifies whether to automatically run JavaScript or JScript. |
Active Scripting Error Alerts | Specifies the level of detail you want in scripting error alerts. If you don't want to see any alerts, select Don't Show. |
Show UnSupported Scripting Language Errors | Specifies whether to show an error for when loading pages which contain scripting languages that are not supported in Internet Explorer, such as Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript). |
Progressive Formatting section | |
Specifies when a page should be updated after an image is downloaded. Click the button that best describes your type of connection. |
Home Page section | |
Address | Specifies the current home page. The home page is the Web site that Internet Explorer displays automatically when it is first started. You can use the Home button on the toolbar to visit your home page at any time.
To change your home page, type a new address in the text box. |
Use None | Specifies that you don't want Internet Explorer to display a page automatically when you start it. |
Use Default | Specifies you have changed the address for the home page, but want to return to using the default home page (http://home.microsoft.com/). |
Automatically go to this Home Page when opening a new window | Specifies that Internet Explorer should access the home page listed in the Address box whenever you open a new browser window. |
Search Page section | |
Address | Specifies the current search page. The search page is the Web site that Internet Explorer accesses automatically when you click Search the Internet from the Go menu or click the Search button on the Button Bar.
To change your search page, type a new address in the text box. |
Use None | Specifies that you don't want to be able to use the Search the Internet command from the Go menu or click the Search button on the Button Bar. If you select this option, to search the Internet, you have to type a search service provider's address in the Address Bar. |
Use Default | Specifies that you have changed the address for the Search page, but want to return to using the default search page (http://home.microsoft.com/access/allinone.asp). |
Language section | |
Language | Specifies the default language of your browser so that if you visit a site that sends different pages depending on language of your browser, you will receive pages in the language specified. |
Fonts section | |
Character Set | Specifies the name of the character set you want to use when displaying pages that don't specify one. After you select a character set, you can change the font. |
Proportional Font | Specifies the name of the font you want to use when displaying proportionally spaced text on a page. To change the font, select one from the menu. |
Fixed-Width Font | Specifies the name of the fixed-width font you want to use. Some pages contain text that must be displayed in a non-proportional (fixed-width) font. To change the font, select one from the menu. |
Check For Changed Sites section | |||||||
Specifies when you want Internet Explorer to check your subscriptions.
|
|||||||
When A Site Has Changed section | |||||||
Play A Sound | Specifies that you want to hear a sound when any one of your subscribed pages has changed. Select the check box, and then select a sound from the pop-up menu. | ||||||
Display An Alert | Specifies that you want Internet Explorer to display an alert message when one of your subscribed pages changes. | ||||||
Flash Explorer's Icon | Specifies that you want the Internet Explorer icon to flash in the application menu when one of your subscribed pages changes. | ||||||
Send E-Mail | Specifies that you want to receive an e-mail when one of your subscribed pages changes. If you want the message to be sent to the e-mail address specified in the E-mail panel, click the Use The Current Mail Address button. If you want a message sent to a different e-mail address, click Use A Custom Address, and then type an e-mail address in the box provided. |
Enable Java | Specifies whether Java applets will be downloaded. Downloading Java applets may take a longer time on slow modems. If you are not interested in Java applets, you can improve performance by disabling Java. | ||||||
Java Virtual Machine | Specifies the Java engine used to run Java applets in the browser. Select a virtual machine (VM) from the menu. The Security Options available will change depending on the VM that you select. | ||||||
Enable Just-in-Time Compiler | Specifies the use of the Just-in-Time (JIT) Compiler. The JIT is plugged into the Java VM. When the VM executes a method in a class or object, it passes bytecodes to the JIT, which then compiles the bytecodes to the native code on the fly. With JIT disabled, the Java VM must interpret and execute each bytecode in succession, which is a much slower process. Consequently, JIT significantly boosts Java performance. | ||||||
Alert on Exception | Specifies whether a warning should be displayed if there are errors in the Java applet. | ||||||
Log Java Output | Specifies whether the browser should save the output text from the Java applet. To view the errors, click Java Messages from the View menu. | ||||||
Log Java Exceptions | Specifies whether the browser should save the Java errors that occurred in the Java applet. To view the errors, click Java Messages from the View menu. | ||||||
Class Paths section | |||||||
Class Path list | Displays the list of class paths in use. Java classes (the building blocks of Java applets) can be downloaded from the Internet or stored on your computer. The class path identifies where Internet Explorer should look for Java classes on your computer. You can change or delete class paths by selecting the path from the list, and then click the appropriate button. To add a class path, click the Add button. Note that the file is either a .zip file or a .class file. If it's a .zip file, navigate to the file and add it. If it's a .class file, navigate to the parent folder that contains the .class file, and add it). | ||||||
Security Options section The options below are available. |
|||||||
Byte-Code Verification | Byte code is the language in which Java applets are delivered to the browser. Select one of the following from the menu to determine when you want Internet Explorer to verify the byte code:
|
||||||
Network Access | Specifies the amount of access a Java applet has to available networks. Select one of the following from the Network Access menu.
|
||||||
Restrict Access to Non-Java class files | Specifies whether a Java applet can read, create or modify files on your local hard disk. To give Java applets access only to files essential to its program, select the Restrict access to non-Java class files check box. |
Alerts section | |
When Entering A Page That Is Secure | Specifies to display a message whenever you visit a site that is secure. |
When Entering A Page That Is Not Secure | Specifies to display a message whenever you visit a site that is not secure. |
Before Submitting A Form That Is Not Secure | Specifies to display a message before you send information. |
Before Submitting A Form Through E-mail | Specifies to display a message before you send a form over e-mail. |
Before Downloading An ActiveX Control | Specifies to display a message before you download an ActiveX control. |
Certificate Authorities section | |
Reset to Default | Restores any certificates that you have removed (returning to the initial list of certificates) and eliminates the password. |
Set Password | Displays a dialog so that you can set up a password to prevent others from making changes to your certificate settings. |
View | Displays the certificate properties of the selected certifying authority. |
Delete | Removes the selected certifying authority from the list. The next time you visit a site that uses this certificate an alert will be displayed to let you know that the site uses an unknown certificate. |
Zone | Displays the current security zone for which you are viewing properties. You can specify different security levels for each zone, and then add a site to the appropriate zone with the security level you need. |
Add Sites | Click to add a site to the currently displayed zone. |
High | Specifies that you want to be notified about any potential security problems from a Web site. Active content that might pose a security problem is not downloaded, and you are not able to view it. |
Medium | Specifies that you want to be warned about any potential security problems from a Web site. You can then choose whether or not to download or view active content. |
Low | Specifies that you do not want to be warned about potential security problems from a Web site. All active content with a valid certificate is automatically downloaded to your computer. Be sure that you trust the sites in the current zone before you select this security level. |
Custom | Specifies that you want to use custom security settings. Click Settings to specify. |
Settings | Click to customize settings for a zone. |
Internet Zone dialog box (available when you select a custom security zone) | |
ActiveX Controls and Plug-Ins | Specifies an action for Internet Explorer when it detects an ActiveX Control or Plug-in on a Web page. Select an action from each menu. |
Downloads | Specifies an action for Internet Explorer when you download a font or file from a Web page. |
User Authentication | Specifies an action when a Web page requests user name or password. |
Java | Specifies a security level for Java on a Web page. |
Miscellaneous | Specifies a security level or action for software channel permissions, the launching of applications and files, or non-encrypted data submission. |
Scripting | Specifies an action when Internet Explorer detects a script on a Web page. |
Default Settings | |
Reset To | Specifies a level of security for all of the above settings. |
Reset | Click to reset all the settings. |
Enabled/Disabled | Turns ratings on and off. To use ratings, click Enabled. By default, Internet Explorer uses Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSAC), but you can download other rating systems. |
Change Password | Opens the Change Password dialog box, in which parents or supervisors can create a password for the Ratings dialog box. The next time someone tries to change a ratings setting, Internet Explorer will request a password.
To create a password for Ratings settings, click Change Password and follow the instructions on your screen. |
Ratings Service | Lists the categories of objectional material in the rating system currently installed on this computer. To set up a ratings restriction level, click a category on the menu. The current restriction level for the category will appear below it. You may need to type the supervisor password before you can change the restriction level. |
Add Service | Displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate the rating service you would like to use. |
Remove Service | Removes the ratings service. To do so, select the ratings service from the list, and then click Remove Service. |
Options | Opens the Ratings Options dialog box. |
Ratings Options dialog box (available when you click Options) | |
User Can See Sites Which Have No Rating | Specifies whether people using this computer have permission to view material that has not been rated. If this check box is selected, some objectionable material might be viewable, if the Web author has neglected to rate the site by using the rating system you are using. However, if the check box is clear, users will be unable to view any unrated Web page, no matter how safe the content on the page may be. |
Supervisor Can Type A Password To Allow Users To View Restricted Content | Specifies whether users who know the supervisor password can type the password in order to view Web pages containing potentially objectionable material. If this check box is selected, nobody except the supervisor will be able to view such Web pages on this computer. |
Ratings Bureau | Provides a space for you to type the URL or Web address of the ratings service you would like to use. |
History section | |
Remember The Last Places Visited | Provides a space for you to type the number of Web sites the browser should store in its History list. To view the History list, click Open History from the Go menu, or click the History tab on the Explorer Bar. |
Cache section | |
Once Per Session | Specifies that the first time you return to a page you viewed previously, Internet Explorer should check to see whether it changed since you last viewed it. If the page has changed, Internet Explorer displays the new page and stores it in the Cache folder on your hard disk. |
Never | Specifies that when you return to a page that you viewed previously, Internet Explorer should not check to see whether the page changed since you last viewed it. |
Always | Specifies that when you return to a page you viewed previously, Internet Explorer should check to see whether it changed since you last viewed it. If the page has changed, Internet Explorer displays the new page and stores it in the Cache folder on your hard disk. |
Maximum Size | Displays the current size of your cache folder. To remove the contents of the cache, click Empty Now. |
Location | Displays the current location of the Explorer Cache folder. To change where this folder is stored, click Change Location. |
Connections section | |
Support Multiple Connections | Specifies whether you want more than one connection to the Internet. |
Max Connections | Specifies the maximum number of multiple connections. Select a value from the menu. |
Show Server Messages | Specifies whether you want to see messages from the server. This is useful when you are having trouble accessing a site. The server may be able to give you a reason, such as "busy". |
Offline Browsing | |
Automatically connect to Internet if a page is not cached | Specifies that when you use offline browsing and attempt to browse a Web page that you have not subscribed to that you automatically connect to the Internet. |
Forms AutoComplete | |
AutoComplete Settings | Specifies any word or phrase that you want Internet Explorer to recognize as you type into a form field on the Web or the Address Bar. |
AutoFill Profiles | |
AutoFill Settings | Specifies first name, last name, middle initial, organization, phone number, and other personal information that you want Internet Explorer to automatically fill out in forms on a Web page when you click AutoFill from the Button Bar. |
Download Options | |||||||||||
Download Folder | Specifies where files downloaded from the Internet will be stored. | ||||||||||
Change Folder | Displays the Open dialog box, in which you can select where you want to store downloaded files. To change the Download folder, click Change Folder, locate the new folder on your computer, and then click Select. | ||||||||||
Download Destination | |||||||||||
Always Download Files to the Download Folder | Specifies that you want all downloaded files to be stored in the folder specified in the Download Folder area. | ||||||||||
Always Use Download Location From Appropriate File Helpers | Specifies that you want to use the download destination specified in the File Helpers panel. | ||||||||||
Download Manager Options | |||||||||||
Maximum Number Of Concurrent Downloads | Specifies how many files can be downloaded simultaneously. Select a value from the menu. | ||||||||||
Immediately Remove Items After They Have Been Downloaded | Specifies that you do not want the Download Manager (available from the File menu) to maintain a list of the files you download. | ||||||||||
Remember The Last Completed Downloads | Specifies the maximum number of downloads that you want the Download Manager to maintain. To open the Download Manager, click Download Manager from the File menu. | ||||||||||
Automatically Decode MacBinary Files | Specifies whether downloaded MacBinary files should be converted automatically. | ||||||||||
Automatically Decode BinHex Files | Specifies whether downloaded BinHex files should be converted automatically. | ||||||||||
File Helpers page | |||||||||||
Description/Extension | Lists the applications that will be used to open files that use specific extensions or file types. | ||||||||||
Add | Opens the Add dialog box, in which you can specify settings for a new file helper. For more information, see the Edit File Helpers dialog box. | ||||||||||
Change | Opens the Edit File Helper dialog box, in which you can change the settings for the selected file helper. For more information, see the Edit File Helpers dialog box. | ||||||||||
Delete | Removes a selected file helper setting. To remove a file helper, select it from the list, and then click Delete. | ||||||||||
Edit File Helper dialog box (available when you click the Add or Change button). | |||||||||||
Representation section | |||||||||||
Description | Provides a space for you to type a description for the helper. The text you type is displayed in the File Helpers list under the Description category. | ||||||||||
Extension | Provides a space for you to type the extension associated with the helper. The text you type will be displayed in the File Helpers list under the Suffix category. | ||||||||||
MIME Type | Provides a space for you to type the MIME type (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions). MIME types are an Internet standard that allows a wide variety of files (text, audio, images, and application) to be transmitted through e-mail. MIME types are used to label files so that applications that handle them know what to do with them. |
||||||||||
File Type section | |||||||||||
Application | Use the Browse button to locate the application you want to be associated with the file type. | ||||||||||
File Type | Select a file type from the menu. | ||||||||||
File Creator | Displays the creator type of the file. | ||||||||||
Encoding | Specifies whether the file type uses plain text or binary data. | ||||||||||
Macintosh File | Macintosh files consist of both a resource fork and a data fork. When Macintosh files are sent to a non-Macintosh platform, everything that is stored in the resource fork must be moved over to the data fork. Select this check box when you want Macintosh files to be served on non-Macintosh platforms. |
||||||||||
Use for Incoming | Specifies whether you want the file helper used for downloaded files. | ||||||||||
Use for Outgoing | Specifies whether you want the file helper used for outgoing files. | ||||||||||
Download Destination section | |||||||||||
Download to | Specifies where you want to store the downloaded file. | ||||||||||
Handling section | |||||||||||
How to Handle | Select one of the following from the menu:
|
||||||||||
Browse | Displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate the files and plug-ins on your system that you want to use to handle the file helper. | ||||||||||
Cookies page | |||||||||||
Server, Name, Status | A cookie is a small piece of information that a Web server can store with your browser and later reads back so that the server can maintain personal settings for you. For example, a cookie might be used to store a customized view of a Web site or ensure that you never see the same advertisement twice.
This dialog box lists the cookies currently installed on your hard disk and their state (enabled or disabled). You can use the Enable/Disable Cookie button to change the state of a selected cookie. When a cookie is disabled, the Web site that installed the cookie will not be able to read information that it stored on your hard disk. You can also use the Delete button to remove a cookie from the list so that when you visit the site again, a new cookie will be installed. |
||||||||||
Delete | Uninstalls a selected cookie from your computer and removes it from the cookie list. To uninstall a cookie, select it from the list, and then click Delete. Remember that the next time you visit the site whose cookie you uninstalled, a new cookie will be downloaded to your computer again. | ||||||||||
View | Opens the Cookie Viewer dialog box, in which you can view the values of a cookie. To view information about a cookie, select the cookie from the list and then click View. |
||||||||||
Accept/Decline Cookie | Available when you have Ask for Each Site selected from the When Receiving Cookies menu. When a cookie is declined, the Web site that installed the cookie will not be able to read information that it stored on your hard disk. To change the state of a cookie, select it from the list and then click Accept Cookie or Decline Cookie. | ||||||||||
When Receiving Cookies | Provides the browser with instructions on what to do when a Web site attempts to install a cookie. Select an option from the menu:
|
Protocol Helpers settings | |
Protocol/Application | Lists the protocol associated with an application. You can use the Add, Change, or Delete button to change the settings. |
Add | Opens the Protocol Helper Editor dialog box, in which you can add a new protocol. For more information, see the Protocol Helper Editor dialog box. |
Change | Opens the Protocol Helper Editor dialog box in which you can change the application associated with a protocol. For more information, see the Protocol Helper Editor dialog box. |
Delete | Removes a selected protocol. To remove a protocol helper, select it from the list, and then click Delete. |
Protocol Helper Editor dialog box (opens when you click the Change or Add button) | |
Helper For | Provides a space for you to type the application to which this helper belongs. |
Choose Helper | Opens the Open dialog box, in which you can select the helper you want to use for the application selected application. |
Use Current Application If Possible | Specifies whether you want the application in use to be used instead of the assigned helper. For example, suppose you assign Fetch as your FTP (File Transfer Protocol) helper and have selected the Use Current Application If Possible check box. When you click an FTP link in Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer will be used to download the file, not Fetch. |
Proxies page | |
Enabled/Disabled | A proxy server acts as a security barrier between your internal network (intranet) and the Internet. It prevents Internet users from gaining access to confidential information on your internal network. You will need to contact your network administrator for specific information about your proxy server settings. If you want to use the proxy servers defined on this page to connect to the Internet, click Enabled. |
Protocol | Specifies the protocol of the proxy server. Select one from the menu. |
Method | Specifies the method of the proxy server. Select one from the menu. |
Address and Port | Specifies the address for the proxy server. Type the address and port in their respective boxes, but do not add "http://". |
User Name | Provides a space for you to type your user name. |
Password | Provides space for you to type your proxy server password. |
Use Proxy For Local Servers check box | Specifies whether you want to use the proxy server to access internal servers. |
Direct connections text box | Provides a space for you to type the address for sites that you can connect to directly, bypassing the proxy server. |
Site Passwords page | |
Site/User Name | Maintains a list of the user names and passwords you have typed to view Web sites. |
Change | Opens the Site Password Editor dialog box, in which you can change the user name, or password for a site. For more information, see the Site Password Editor dialog box. |
Delete | Removes a password setting from your computer. Once you have removed a password setting, the next time you visit the site, you will have to provide a new user name and password. To remove a password setting, select it from the list, and then click Delete. |
Site Password Editor dialog box (opens when you click the Change button) | |
Server Name | Displays the server where the user name and password is sent. |
Scheme | Displays the scheme, which is the way in which this information is communicated to the server. |
User Name | Provides a space for you to type the user name you want to use when you visit the site. |
Password | Provides a space for you to type the password to be used when you visit the site. The actual characters you type will be replaced with solid circles for added security. |
Realm | Displays the authentication scheme, also known as the Domain or Account, which is usually provided by the server. |
Personal Settings | |
Real Name | Provides a space for you to specify your name. This information will appear in the From box of the mail and news messages you send. |
E-mail Address | Provides a space for you to specify your e-mail address. This information will appear in the From box and headers of the mail and news messages you send. |
Organization | Provides a space for you to specify the name of your company, department, or organization that you belong to. This information will appear in the headers of the news messages you send. |
Sending Mail | |
SMTP Host | Provides a space for you to specify your outgoing e-mail server. This information is provided by your Internet service provider or network administrator. |
Retrieving Mail | |
Account ID | Provides a space for you to specify your account name. This information is provided by your Internet service provider or network administrator. |
Mail Host | Provides a space for you to specify your mail host. This information is provided by your Internet service provider or network administrator. |
POP3/IMAP | Specifies the type of mail server you are using. IMAP servers are designed to leave mail on the server so that they can be accessed from any computer. POP3 servers move mail from the server to your computer. |
Password | Provides a space for you to specify your password. For security reasons, the letters you type are replaced with bullets. |