Introducing the Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser

The Internet is a collection of computer networks that connect millions of computers around the world. Within the Internet is the World Wide Web, usually known simply as the Web. The Web is made up of Web pages, which enable you to view information in a graphical form.

Microsoft Internet Explorer makes it easier to get the most from the Web, whether you are searching for new information, or browsing your favorite Web sites. And no matter where or how you connect to the Web, getting connected and staying connected is easy with Internet Explorer.

The easiest way to get around the Web

• When you start typing a frequently used Web address (or URL) in the Address bar at the top of the browser window, the AutoComplete feature can complete the address for you. And if an address you type or click in a Web page is wrong, Internet Explorer can search for similar Web addresses to try to find a match.
• Search for Web sites by using the Explorer bar. Click the Search button on the toolbar: The Explorer bar appears on the left side of the browser window. When you click a link in the list of search results, you can view that page in the right side of the window while still viewing the list in the left.
• Browse through a list of Web pages you visit frequently (Favorites list) or have visited recently (History list) in the Explorer bar, and view the Web pages in the right side of the window. No more hunting through folders all over your computer for Web pages you've been to: They're right there in your browser window.

Browse the Web your way by customizing

• Put your most-used Web pages on your Links bar for quick access.
• Add other frequently visited Web pages to your Favorites list for easy access from the Favorites menu or Explorer bar.
• Organize your favorite items with folders, and sort them in the order you want them.
• Display just the buttons you need, in the order you want, on the Standard Buttons toolbar. Size and move the toolbars to make more room in the browser window.
• Choose from your favorite search providers, and keep them handy for all your searches.
• Take your favorite Web pages with you: to another computer, another browser, or even to share with your friends. You don't have to rebuild your Favorites list from "scratch" whenever you use Internet Explorer on another computer. You can even import bookmarks from Netscape Navigator, whether Navigator is installed on your own computer or somebody elseís.

The best choice for laptops

• You donít have to be connected to the Internet to view your favorite Web pages. With offline browsing, you connect to the Internet, mark your favorite Web sites, download the latest content from those sites, and view them later when youíre not connected. You can update the content any time you are connected, or use a schedule to automatically update it.
• Save complete Web pages on your computer by using the Save As command. All the necessary files, including HTML, graphics, frames, scripting, and style-sheet files are saved so that the page appears on your computer the same way you see it on the Web.
• Switch easily between different types of Internet connections. For example, at your office you might connect to the Internet through a LAN (local area network), and when travelling or at home you may connect to the Internet through an ISP (Internet service provider). You can set up several different connection methods so you can easily switch between them without having to reconfigure your settings each time.

Browse the Web safely

• Using security zones, you can set different levels of security for different areas of the Web, to help protect your computer.
• With Content Advisor, you can screen out objectionable content by using industry-standard ratings defined independently by the Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) committee.
• With the optional Microsoft Wallet, you can store your personal credit-card and shipping-address information on your computer, and take advantage of secure servers when you connect to Web sites. And when Web sites request your personal information, you can use Microsoft Profile Assistant to store that information and control how it is shared.

View Web pages in other languages

• Does your Web browsing take you around the world to sites written in languages other than the one you use on your computer? Internet Explorer can update your computer with the character sets you need to view these sites properly.