Internet Explorer Toolbar

Displaying toolbar components

Resizing toolbar components

Rearranging toolbar components

Setting up the AutoComplete feature

Setting up the AutoFill feature

Web Pages

Changing page and link colors

Changing sound, video, and picture settings

Changing the default font size for all pages

Changing the default fonts for all pages

Viewing pages with frames

Using the Internet ratings system

Changing or deleting a Web site password or user name

Using style sheets

Changing the update and notify settings for subscribed pages

Viewing pictures

Viewing animated pictures

Updating a page when pictures are downloaded

Using ColorSync

Home and Search Page

Changing the home page

Changing the search page

Internet Connections

Configuring your computer for Internet access by using a proxy server

Using multiple connections

Viewing server messages

Connecting to the Internet automatically when pages are not cached

Handling Files and Protocols

Changing Download Manager settings

Starting an application when you open a particular file type

Starting an application when you open a particular protocol

Using plug-ins

Cache and History List

Changing the size and location of the cache

Updating a Web page

Updating a page when pictures are downloaded

Changing the number of previously viewed pages stored in the history list

Mail

Setting up a connection to send information to a Web site

To display toolbar components

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Browser Display.
3. Select the check boxes next to the toolbar components (for example, Button Bar, Address Bar, and Favorites Bar) that you want to display.
4. If you want to see an animated icon that indicates when the browser is downloading a page, select the Show Icon Animation check box, and then select the animation you want to see.
5. If you want to see a description when the mouse pauses over a toolbar button, select the Show ToolTips check box.

Tips

• These settings affect all pages you view. If you want to show or hide the Button, Address, Favorites, or Status Bars for an individual window only, use the commands on the View menu.
• To change which buttons appear on the toolbar, make sure the Show Button Bar check box is selected, and then select a toolbar configuration from the menu.

To resize toolbar components

1. Move the pointer to the cross-hatched pattern on the bar that you want to resize. Note that the pointer turns into a hand.
2. Drag the bar. When you reduce the size of a bar, some buttons are hidden.

• You cannot drag the left-most bars to resize them. You must resize the adjacent bar.

To rearrange toolbar components

1. Move the pointer to the cross-hatched pattern on the bar that you want to move. Note that the pointer turns into a hand.
2. Drag the bar to its new location on the toolbar. You can only move the toolbar components (the Favorites, Button, and Address Bars) within the toolbar. A blue highlighting box indicates the size and placement of the bar in its new location.

Related Topics
Displaying toolbar components
Resizing toolbar components

To set up the AutoComplete feature

When you start typing into a form on a Web page or the Address Bar, the AutoComplete feature in Internet Explorer automatically suggests a match as you type. The suggested match is highlighted. When you finish typing, or when AutoComplete finds a match, press the ENTER key. AutoComplete finds a match from a list of Web sites you've visited before, or from words you have added to the AutoComplete word list.

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Forms AutoFill, click Forms AutoComplete.
3. Select Enabled.
4. If you want to add a word or words to the Word list from which Internet Explorer can match, click the Add button.

Related Topic
Changing the number of previously viewed pages stored in the history list
Glossary (Address Bar)

To set up the AutoFill feature

The AutoFill feature automatically places information about you into Web forms. Information that AutoFill places into the forms includes your name, street address, and email address, saving you from having to type it every time you fill out a form on the Web. Type the information once into the AutoFill dialog box, and, after that, click the AutoFill button on the toolbar when filling out a form on a Web site. The information that AutoFill places is highlighted in yellow so that you can check it before submitting the form to the Web site.

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Forms AutoFill, click AutoFill Profile.
3. Type information you want AutoFill to complete for you in Web forms.

To change page and link colors

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Browser Display.
3. In the Page & Link area, click the Color Picker that corresponds to the item you want to change.

Related Topic
Changing video, sound, and picture settings

To change video, sound, and picture settings

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. In the Page Content area, select the check box for each multimedia element you want displayed.

• Web pages may download faster if the multimedia check boxes are cleared.

To change the default font size for all pages

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Browser Display.
3. On the Text Size menu, select a default font size.

Tip

• Some pages will use their own fonts instead of the ones you specify. To prevent this from happening, open the Preferences dialog box, and under Web Browser, click Web Content. Then, clear the Allow Page To Specify Fonts check box.

Related Topics
Changing the font size of the current page
Changing the fonts used to display text on a page

To change the default fonts for all pages

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Language and Fonts.
3. On the Character Set menu, select a character set.
   The language kit for the specified character set must be installed.
4. On the Proportional Font and Fixed-Width Font menus, select the fonts you want.

Tips

• Some pages use their own fonts instead of the ones you specify. To prevent this, open the Preferences dialog box, and under Web Browser, click Web Content, and then clear the Allow Page To Specify Fonts check box.
• Some Internet sites send different pages depending on what language your browser is set to. If you are viewing one of these sites, set the Language menu to the language you would like to see.

Related Topics
Changing the default font size for all pages
Changing the font for the current page

To view pages with frames

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. Make sure the Show Frames check box is selected.
4. On the View menu, click Refresh.

Tips

• You cannot view some pages unless you have frames turned on.
• When you refresh a page that has frames, the page reverts to its original state.
• To print the contents of a frame, click inside the frame, and then click Print from the File menu. To set up print features (for example, printing with no images, printing with background), click Print Preview from the File menu.
• To refresh the contents of a frame, click inside the frame, and then hold down the mouse button and select Refresh from the shortcut menu.

Related Topics
Creating a collection of favorite pages
Glossary (frame)
Organizing your favorites list

To use the Internet Ratings system

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Ratings.
3. Select Enabled.
4. If you have never set Internet ratings, click Change Password.
5. Type a new password. By default, no password is provided.
6. Confirm your new password by typing it again.
7. Select rating levels for violence, sex, nudity, and language rating.
   A description of the selected level is provided.

Tips

• Remember your password. You need it any time you change the Ratings settings.
• By default, Internet Explorer uses the rating system provided by the Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSAC). For more information about RSAC, see http://www.rsac.org/. (Note that this link points to a site that is not under the control of Microsoft. Please read our disclaimer).
• The Options button provides additional Internet rating controls. For example, you can determine whether unrated sites can be viewed.
• You can download other rating services and use them instead of RSAC. To do so, click Add Service and locate the new service.

Related Topic
Using a ratings bureau

To change or delete a Web site password or user name

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Network, click Site Passwords.
3. Click a site from the list and do one of the following:
   • To delete a user name and password, click Delete. Once you remove a password setting, the next time you visit the site, you'll need to provide a new user name and password.
   • To change a site user name or password setting, click Change, and then complete the information requested in the dialog box.

To use style sheets

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. Select the Show Style Sheets check box.

Related Topic
Glossary (style sheets)

To change the update and notify settings for subscribed pages

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Subscriptions.
3. In the Check for Changed Sites area, click the button that corresponds to how often you want Internet Explorer to look for updates to your subscribed pages.
4. In the When A Site Has Changed area, select the check box that corresponds to how you want to be notified of changes.

Note

• You can use the Update Subscriptions command from the Favorites menu to check for updates at any time.

Related Topics
Changing the notify setting for a specific subscribed page
Creating a collection of favorite pages
Subscribing to a favorite page

To view pictures

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. Select the Show Pictures check box.

To view animated pictures

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. Select the Animated GIFs check box.
4. If you want the GIF to animate continuously, select the Looping check box.

To update a page when pictures are downloaded

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. In the Progressive Formatting area, click the button that suits your Internet connection.

To use ColorSync

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. Select the ColorSync check box.
4. On the View menu, click Refresh.

Note

• ICC Profiles are not supported in GIFs and PNG formats.

To change the home page

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Home/Search.
3. In the Address box, type the new home page address.
4. To display your home page whenever you open a new window, select the Automatically go to this home page when opening a new window check box.

Tips

• To quickly set the current page as the home page, open the page in the browser, hold down the mouse button, and then select Set Home Page from the shortcut menu.
• To use the default home page for Internet Explorer (http://home.microsoft.com), click Use Default.
• To have no home page, click Use None. This causes the Home button on the Button Bar and the Home Page command on the Go menu to be unavailable.
• If you are familiar with authoring Web pages, try creating your own home page with links to your favorite topics.

Related Topics
Glossary (home page)
Button Bar shortcuts (Home button)
Visiting the home page

To change the search page

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Home/Search.
3. Type a new search page address in the Address box.

Tips

• To quickly set the current page as the search page, point to and hold down the mouse button on the page, and then select Set Search Page.
• To use the default search page for Internet Explorer (http://home.microsoft.com/access/allinone.asp), click Use Default.
• To have no search page, click Use None. This causes the Search Page button on the Button Bar and the Search the Internet command on the Go menu to be unavailable.

Related Topics
Button Bar shortcuts (Search button)
Glossary (search page)
Searching for a specific place or page

To configure your computer for Internet access by using a proxy server

1. Get your proxy server address and server type (normal or tunnel) from your network administrator.
2. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
3. Under Network, click Proxies.
4. Click Enabled.
5. On the Protocol menu, select a protocol
6. On the Method menu, select a type of proxy server.
7. In the Address: http and Port boxes, specify the proxy server address and port supplied by your system administrator.
8. If your proxy requires authentication, specify the information supplied by your system administrator in the Password and User Name box.
9. In the box located at the bottom of the dialog box, type the sites you want to connect to directly, bypassing the proxy server.

• The Proxy page should contain information only if you are accessing the Internet at a company that requires you to go through a local server first. If this is the case, check with your system administrator for the correct proxy server settings. If this is not the case, make sure all the fields in the proxy setting area are completely empty by pressing the TAB key on your keyboard and then pressing the DELETE key at each field.
• Proxy servers are typically used in corporate computing environments where the local network is isolated from the Internet by a firewall. If you are in this situation, you need to obtain your proxy server configuration from your network administrator. If you are directly connected to the Internet through an Internet service provider (ISP), then it is likely that you do not need to choose a proxy server.

Related Topics
Glossary (firewall)
Glossary (ISP)
Glossary (proxy)

To use multiple connections

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Advanced.
3. Select the Support Multiple Connections check box.
4. Change the Max Connections value, as needed.

Note

• For optimum performance, the default number of connections is set to four per window. You can have as many as eight connections per window, but more than four is beneficial only if you download many different files from many different servers simultaneously.

To view server messages

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Advanced.
3. Select the Show Server Messages check box.

To connect to the Internet automatically when pages are not cached

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Advanced.
3. Select the Automatically connect to Internet if page is not cached check box.

Related Topic
Browsing the Web without being connected to the Internet

To change Download Manager settings

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Receiving Files, click Download Options.
3. Click Change Folder, and locate the folder in which downloaded files are stored.
4. If you want all downloaded files to be stored in the folder specified in the Download Folder area, select Always download files to the download folder. If you want to use the download destination specified in the File Helpers panel, click Always use download location from appropriate file helpers.
5. On the Maximum number of concurrent downloads menu, select a value.
6. If you do not want the Download Manager to maintain a list of the files you download, click Immediately remove items after they have been downloaded.
7. Click the button that corresponds to the number of downloads you want maintained.
8. Select the Automatically decode MacBinary files or the Automatically decode binhex files check box, as needed.

To start an application when you open a particular file type

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Receiving Files, click File Helpers.
3. Do one of the following:
   • To specify which program to start when you open a new type of file, click the Add button.
   • To change the program that starts when you open an existing file type, click the type, and then click the Change button.
   • To delete the program that starts when you open an existing file type, click the type, and then click the Delete button.
4. If you clicked the Add or Change button, enter the following information, as needed, into the Edit File Helper menu:
   • Under Representation, type a description, extension, and MIME type.
   • Under File Type, specify whether the file type uses Plain Text or Binary Data encoding.
   • If you want Macintosh files to be served on non-Macintosh platforms, select the Macintosh File check box.
   • If you want the file helper used for downloaded files, select the Use for Incoming check box.
   • If you want the file helper used for outgoing files, select the Use for Outgoing check box.
   • From the Download to field, select where you want to store the file.
   • From the How to handle field, select one of the following options:

     View with browser	Opens the file in the browser window if the file type is supported by the browser.
     View with application	Opens the file using the specified external application. When you quit the application, the downloaded file is deleted.
     View with plug-in	Uses a specified plug-in to view the file. To locate the plug-in on your system, click Browse.
     Post-process with application	Handles the file later with a specified application. For example, you can download a .sit file, but later use Stuffit to decompress the file.
     Save to file	Displays a dialog box that lets you select where to save the file.

Related Topics
File helpers directory
Glossary (file helpers)

To start an application when you open a particular protocol

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Network, click Protocol Helpers
3. Do one of the following:
   • To add a new protocol that is not in the list, click the Add button.
   • To change a setting for a protocol, select the protocol, and then click the Change button.
   • To delete a setting for a protocol, select the protocol, and then click the Delete button.
4. If you clicked the Add or Change button, enter the following information, as needed, into the Protocol Helper Editor menu.
   • In the Helper For box, type the protocol for which you are assigning an application.
   • Click Choose Helper, and then locate the application you want to use for the protocol.
   • If you want Internet Explorer to always try to use an application in use, instead of the assigned helper, select the Use current application if possible check box. 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.

Related Topics
Glossary (protocol)
Glossary (protocol helpers)

To use plug-ins

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. Select the Enable Plug-Ins check box.

Related Topic
Glossary (plug-in)

To change the size and location of the cache

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Advanced.
3. To create more space in your Cache folder, increase the value in the Maximum Size box or, if you want to start with an empty cache, click Empty Now.
4. To define a new name and location for the Cache folder, click Change Location.

Related Topic
Glossary (cache)

To update a Web page

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Advanced.
3. In the Cache area, select how often you would like your browser to reload a Web page:
   • If the sites you visit change often, click Once Per Session. Selecting this option can slow down browsing between viewed pages (pages stored in the Cache folder) because Internet Explorer checks to see whether a page has changed when you return to it.
   • If the sites you visit do not change often, click Never. Selecting this option can speed up browsing because viewed pages are not updated. If you want to view possible updates when this option is selected, click Refresh from the View menu.
   • If the sites you visit change often, select Always. Selecting this option can slow down browsing between viewed pages because Internet Explorer checks to see whether a page has changed when you return to it.

Related Topic
Seeing where you've been

To update a page when pictures are downloaded

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. In the Progressive Formatting area, click the option you want.

To change the number of previously viewed pages stored in the history list

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Advanced.
3. In the History area, type a new value in the Remember the last places visited box.

Related Topics
Exporting the history list
Seeing where you've been

To set up a connection to send information to Web site

1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
2. Under E-mail, click General.
3. In the Real Name box, type you first and last name.
4. In the E-mail address box, type your e-mail address.
5. In the Organization box, type your company or group name.
6. In the SMTP Host box, type the name of your outgoing mail server.

Notes

• This information is supplied by your Internet service provider (ISP).
• These settings are used to send information such as form data to a Web site. You still need a separate mail program, such as Microsoft Outlook Express, for general e-mail usage.