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Monday, November 8, 2010

Most important for internet explorer troubleshooting. (So many issue fixes)

Internet Explorer Tips

Can't Connect to Internet with Internet Explorer


If no Internet application like IE, Outlook Express or other browsers are working,
it may be due to corrupted Winsock registry entries.

First make sure you can connect to the Internet.
Ping a web site by name (e.g. ping www.yahoo.com)
If you get a response back, then you can connect to the Internet.

The basic steps are to:

  1. Delete the corrupted Winsock registry entries
  2. Import clean ones
  3. Reboot the computer

For Win98:

  1. Remove the old registry entries
  2. Import the correct registry entries

For WindowsXP:

Open command prompt and run the command given below.

netsh winsock reset catalog

For Windows2000

Open command prompt and run the command given below.

netsh winsock reset catalog

For WindowsVista

Open command prompt and run the command given below.

netsh winsock reset catalog

Hyperlinks Not Working


There have been several instances where the previous tip using regsrv32 does not solve the problem with hyperlinks not working.
In this case try:

  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Go to Tools / Internet Options
  3. Click on the Programs tab
  4. Click on the Reset Web Settings button


If you click on a hyperlink in a web page and only a blank window appears,

  1. Go to Start / Run
  2. Then enter regsvr32 urlmon.dll
  3. Click Ok when finished
  4. If that single change does not resolve the problem, repeat the process by running regsrv32 with the following dll files.
  • Shdocvw.dll
  • Msjava.dll
  • Actxprxy.dll
  • Oleaut32.dll
  • Mshtml.dll
  • Browseui.dll
  • Shell32.dll (Windows XP and Windows 2000 only)

Organizing the Links Toolbar with Folders


Normally, the only items that can be displayed in the Links toolbar are links to web sites.
For me, I have so many it stretches across the entire screen and adding more doesn't work too well.
But there is a way you can create folders for different categories of sites on the toolbar.
Then you can put many pages into each one.
Also, pages with long names don't take up all that extra room.

  1. With Internet Explorer running press Ctrl-B
  2. Scroll down to the Links folder
  3. Click the Create Folder button
  4. Give it whatever name you want for a particular category
  5. You can drag any current pages into the appropriate directories at this time as well

Re-Setting Internet Explorer to Save rather than Open Files Downloaded


You might also try opening up the Windows Explorer

  1. Go to Tools / Folder Options / File Types
  2. Scroll down to the file Extension want to change
  3. Click on the Advanced button
  4. Check Confirm after download


When you try and download a .EXE file with Internet Explorer, you are prompted to "Always ask before opening this type of file".
If you uncheck this box, the next time a EXE file is about to be downloaded, you will not be prompted and the file will automatically be opened.
You also do not see the "Always ask..." box again so you can uncheck it.
To reset Internet Explorer back again:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to Hkey_Classes_Root \ exefile
  3. Change the EditFlags value from d8 07 01 00 to d8 07 00 00

Removing Unwanted Toolbar Items


If you have items in your Internet Explorer toolbar you would like to remove:

Run Regedit

Delete keys in these possible locations are:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MenuExt

Deleting the INDEX.DAT file (Windows2000, XP)


The INDEX.DAT file keeps a record of all the web sites you have visited.
Normally you can't simply delete this file since it is protected by the operating system.
However, there is a way:

  1. Close all running applications
  2. Open a command window (CMD.EXE)
  3. Go to to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 (where username is the replaced by your current login name)
  4. Start the Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc)
  5. Click on the Processes tab
  6. Select EXPLORER.EXE and click on End Process
  7. The screen will be blank except for the command window
  8. Delete the INDEX.DAT file
  9. Go back to the Task Manager
  10. Do File / Run / Explorer and the desktop will be back

With a Batch File

Since it would be cumbersome to manually change directories each time,
it would be very simple to create a two line batch file to do this automatically.
For the example it will be the C:\index.bat file

CD C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5
Del index.dat

  1. Open up a CMD window to the C:\ directory
  2. Start the Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc)
  3. Click on the Processes tab
  4. Select EXPLORER.EXE and click on End Process
  5. Run INDEX.BAT
  6. Go back to the Task Manager
  7. Do File / Run / Explorer and the desktop will be back

Once you learn how do this, it only takes about 30 seconds to delete the file.

Automatically Clearing the Temporary Internet Files


You can have Internet Explorer automatically clear your Temporary Internet Cache files every time you close the program.

  1. Go to Tools / Internet Options
  2. Click on the Advanced button
  3. Scroll down almost to the bottom and check Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed

Seeing When a Web Page Was Last Updated


You can easily determine when a web page was last updated.

  1. Open up the page you want.
  2. Enter javascript:alert(document.lastModified) in the Address bar

Note: You only need a java capable browser


This can be done with a single click by adding it to the Links toolbar.

  1. While javascript:alert(document.lastModified) is in the Address bar, click on the "E" logo next to the page title in the address bar and drag and drop it onto the Links bar.
  2. To rename it just right-click on the title in the Links toolbar.

To use this without all the typing each time:

  1. Open C:\Windows\Favorites folder in Explorer
  2. Copy (you must copy, NOT make a new shortcut) any existing shortcut in that folder.
  3. Paste it back to the same (C:\windows\favorites) directory
  4. Right click it, click properties, in the URL: box put in your tip javascript:alert(document.lastModified)
  5. Then rename it, I named it Date Info.
  6. That's it, it's always there in Favorites when you want it.


Repairing/Adding Components to IE6


To repair (or add features to IE6)

  1. Make sure you have the source files from the same location they were installed
  2. Do a Start / Run / rundll32 setupwbv.dll,IE6Maintenance
  3. You will then be given the options to Add a Component or Repair

View Source Code Not Working


If when you try to view the source of any web page, notepad does not start,
try removing any shortcuts to the program on the desktop.

Submitted by

IE Toolbar Restrictions


To create restriction on the ability to edit the toolbar

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Create a DWORD key of SpecifyDefaultButtons and give it a value of 1

To remove a button from the toolbar,
create additional DWORD keys with a value noted below

Key

Value

Effect

Btn_Back

2

Back button and menu item.

Btn_Forward

2

Forward button and menu item.

Btn_Stop

2

Stop button and menu item.

Btn_Refresh

2

Refresh button and menu item.

Btn_Home

2

Home button and menu item.

Btn_Search

2

Search button and menu item.

Btn_History

2

History button and menu item.

Btn_Favorites

2

Favorites button and menu item.

Btn_Media

2

Media button and menu item. [Only available with IE 6]

NoBandCustomize

1

No adding or removing menu or toolbars.

NoToolbarCustomize

1

Customizing the toolbar.

IE Restrictions


  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Restrictions
  3. Add a DWORD with a name of:

NoBrowserBars

Disable changes to browsers bars.

NoBrowserClose

Disable the option of closing Internet Explorer.

NoBrowserContextMenu

Disable right-click context menu.

NoBrowserOptions

Disable the Tools / Internet Options menu.

NoBrowserSaveAs

Disable the ability to Save As

NoFavorites

Disable the Favorites.

NoFileNew

Disable the File / New

NoFileOpen

Disable the File / Open

NoFindFiles

Disable the Find Files

NoSelectDownloadDir

Disable the option to change download directory

NoTheaterMode

Disable the Full Screen view

NoOpeninNewWnd

Disable Open in New Window

NoViewSource

Disable the ability to view the page source HTML.

NoNavButtons

Disables the Forward and Back buttons

NoPrinting

Remove Print and Print Preview from the File menu.

AlwaysPromptWhenDownload

Always prompt user when downloading files.
  1. Give it a value of 1 to turn on the restriction
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Toolbars \ Restrictions
  3. Create a DWORD with a name of : 
               NoToolbarOptions       Disables adding, removing, or moving toolbars.
  1. Give it a value of 1 to enable this restriction.

Closing Multiple Windows


If you go to web sites that open up multiple windows,
Pressing the Ctrl-W keys seems to work better than Alt-F4

View Favorites on the Desktop


You can create a window on your desktop that will display your Internet Explorer Favorites

Start / Run / iexplore -channelband

Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts


Viewing and exploring Web pages

F1

Display the Internet Explorer Help, or when in a dialog box, display context help on an item

F11

Toggle between Full Screen and regular view of the browser window

TAB

Move forward through the items on a Web page, the Address bar, and the Links bar

SHIFT+TAB

Move back through the items on a Web page, the Address bar, and the Links bar

ALT+HOME

Go to your Home page

ALT+RIGHT ARROW

Go to the next page

ALT+LEFT ARROW or
BACKSPACE

Go to the previous page

SHIFT+F10

Display a shortcut menu for a link

CTRL+TAB or
F6

Move forward between frames

SHIFT+CTRL+TAB

Move back between frames

UP ARROW

Scroll toward the beginning of a document

DOWN ARROW

Scroll toward the end of a document

PAGE UP

Scroll toward the beginning of a document in larger increments

PAGE DOWN

Scroll toward the end of a document in larger increments

HOME

Move to the beginning of a document

END

Move to the end of a document

CTRL+F

Find on this page

F5 or
CTRL+R

Refresh the current Web page only if the time stamp for the Web version and your locally stored version are different

CTRL+F5

Refresh the current Web page, even if the time stamp for the Web version and your locally stored version are the same

ESC

Stop downloading a page

CTRL+O or
CTRL+L

Go to a new location

CTRL+N

Open a new window

CTRL+W

Close the current window

CTRL+S

Save the current page

CTRL+P

Print the current page or active frame

ENTER

Activate a selected link

CTRL+E

Open Search in Explorer bar

CTRL+I

Open Favorites in Explorer bar

CTRL+H

Open History in Explorer bar

CTRL+click

In History or Favorites bars, open multiple folders

Using the Address bar

Press this

To do this

ALT+D

Select the text in the Address bar

F4

Display the Address bar history

CTRL+LEFT ARROW

When in the Address bar, move the cursor left to the next logical break (. or /)

CTRL+RIGHT ARROW

When in the Address bar, move the cursor right to the next logical break (. or /)

CTRL+ENTER

Add "www." to the beginning and ".com" to the end of the text typed in the Address bar

UP ARROW

Move forward through the list of AutoComplete matches

DOWN ARROW

Move back through the list of AutoComplete matches

Working with favorites

Press this

To do this

CTRL+D

Add the current page to your favorites

CTRL+B

Open the Organize Favorites dialog box

ALT+UP ARROW

Move selected item up in the Favorites list in the Organize Favorites dialog box

ALT+DOWN ARROW

Move selected item down in the Favorites list in the Organize Favorites dialog box

Editing

Press this

To do this

CTRL+X

Remove the selected items and copy them to the Clipboard

CTRL+C

Copy the selected items to the Clipboard

CTRL+V

Insert the contents of the Clipboard at the selected location

CTRL+A

Select all items on the current Web page

Restoring Ability to Save Graphics as JPGs


If your Internet Explorer no longer allows you to save graphics as JPGs

  1. Go to Tools / Options
  2. Click on the Advanced tab
  3. In the Security section at the bottom, uncheck Do not save encrypted pages to disk

    Another solution may be to delete all your Temporary Internet files as well

Submitted by

Quickly Access the Address Bar


To quickly get to the Address Bar, simply press the Alt-D key

Removing IE Menu Items


If you want to remove items on the Tools Menu, possibly those left over by uninstalled applications:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions
  3. Delete any of the keys you don't want to show


Download Source Files for All Operating System Versions of IE6


Normally when you install IE6, you only download the source files for the particular Operating System on that particular computer.
If you would like to download the source for all versions of Windows (Win98, ME, NT4, Windows2000 and WindowsXP),

  1. Download just the setup file: to a directory.
    For example C:\IE6_FULL
  2. Then do a Start / Run
  3. Enter in the following command (with the quotes):
    "C:\IE6_FULL\ie6setup.exe" /c:"ie6wzd.exe /d /s:""#E"
  4. You will then get a dialog box with what operating systems you want to download and the folder where you want them to go.

Changing Cookies Settings


To change how the Internet Explorer deals with cookies:

  1. Start Internet Explorer
  2. Go to Tools / Internet Options
  3. Click on the Privacy tab
  4. Click on the Advanced button
  5. From here you can select your cookie settings.

Changing the Internet Explorer Start Page


To change your start page:

  1. Go to a web page that you want to have as your initial page when you start IE
  2. Select Tools / Internet Options
  3. In the Home page section, simply click on the Use Current button

If your home page keeps getting reset to some other site, likely there is a program running when you first turn on your computer.

  1. Run MSCONFIG to see what programs are starting automatically and uncheck any that look suspicious.
  2. You can also see my section on

Automatically Empty Temporary Internet Files


To have the Internet Explorer automatically delete files in the Temporary Internet Files folder:

  1. To go Tools / Internet Options
  2. Click on the Advanced tab
  3. Scroll down to the Security section
  4. Check Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed

Speeding Up IE If No Proxy Server is Installed


If you don't have a proxy server on your computer, you can speed up how long Internet Explorer takes to load.

  1. Go to Tools / Internet Options
  2. Click on the Connections tab
  3. Click on the LAN Settings button
  4. Uncheck Automatically detect settings

Disabling Script Debugging


If you want to disable Internet Explorer's displaying windows when there is a script error on a page,

  1. Start Internet Explorer
  2. Go to Tools / Internet Options
  3. Click on the Advanced tab
  4. Under the Browsing section, check Disable script debugging and uncheck Display notification about every script error

Restoring the Default Window Size in Internet Explorer


If the default size of Internet Explorer is not what you want,

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKey_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Internet Explorer / Main
  3. Delete or rename the key Window_Placement
  4. Restart IE

Download reg file

Changing the Default Sound in Internet Explorer


You can change the default sound heard when opening new pages in the Internet Explorer.

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ AppEvents \ Schemes \ Apps\ Explorer \ Navigating\ .current
  3. Change the default value to the wav file you want to use.
  4. Leaving it blank will turn off the sound.
  5. This also changes the default sound when navigating to folders in the Explorer.

Removing a Branded Logo from IE


If a vendor has replaced the normal Internet Explorer spinning logo with their own,
it is very easy to set it back to the default without editing the registry directly.

  1. Go to Start / Run
  2. Enter in rundll32 iedkcs32.dll,Clear
  3. Now start up your browser and the spinning logo will be back to the default.
  4. If the logo keeps getting replaced, see the Tips / Application tips section on Stopping Applications from Starting Automatically

Using Your Own Style Sheet for All Web Pages


If you want Internet Explorer to use your own style sheet for formatting:

  1. Select Tools / Internet Options
  2. Click on the Accessibility button
  3. Check Format documents using my style sheet
  4. Browse to the location of the style sheet you want to use

Internet Explorer Control Panel Restrictions

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Create the following key if it is not already there:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Control Panel
  3. Under this key create any of the following strings to enable the restrictions you want.
  4. A value of 1 will enable the restriction
  5. Remove the string to disable it
  • Accessibility = Accessibility settings
  • Advanced = Advanced settings
  • AdvancedTab = Advanced tab
  • Autoconfig = Autoconfig settings
  • Cache = Cache settings
  • CalendarContact = Contact settings
  • Check_If_Default = Check if IE default browser setting
  • Connection Settings = Change Connection Type
  • Certificates = Certificates settings
  • CertifPers = Personal Certificates settings
  • CertifSite = Certificates Publishers settings
  • Colors = Colors settings
  • Connection Wizard = Ability to run the Connection Wizard
  • ConnectionsTab = Connections tab
  • Connwiz Admin Lock = Connection Wizard administrative lockout
  • ContentTab = Content tab
  • Fonts = Fonts settings
  • FormSuggest = Forms suggest setting
  • FormSuggest Passwords = Passwords suggest setting
  • GeneralTab = General tab
  • History = History settings
  • HomePage = Home Page settings
  • Languages = Languages settings
  • Links = Links settings
  • Messaging = MS Messaging settings
  • Profiles = Profiles settings
  • ProgramsTab = Programs tab
  • Proxy = Proxy settings
  • Ratings = Ratings settings
  • ResetWebSettings = Reset web settings
  • SecAddSites = Security Add sites settings
  • SecChangeSettings = Security changes
  • SecurityTab = Security tab
  • Settings = Settings boxes
  • Wallet = MS Wallet settings (IE 5.xx and newer)

Not Being Prompted for Download Folder


If you are not being prompted for a location to download a particular file type,
this is typically due to the Always ask before opening this type of file check box being cleared.

To reset it again:

  1. Start the Explorer (Not Internet Explorer)
  2. Select Tools / Folder Options
  3. Click on the File Types tab
  4. Go to the extension you want to change (zip, exe etc.)
  5. Click on the Edit button (W2K click on the Advanced button)
  6. Make sure the Confirm Open After Download box is checked

Displaying the Internet Connection Wizard


If you want Internet Explorer to display the Internet Connection Wizard again:

  1. Open Regedit
  2. Go to this key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard\Completed
  3. Set the value to 0

Submitted by

Moving Backward or Forward with the Wheel Mouse


You can rapidly go Backward or Forward in your IE Browser by holding down the Shift key while moving the mouse wheel.
This saves moving your mouse up and clicking on the Back or Forward buttons.

Most folks already know the keyboard shortcuts by holding down the Alt key and hitting the left and right cursor keys to effect the same thing.

Submitted by

Automatic Entry of WWW and COM


Internet Explorer can automatically fill in the www and com part of a url. Just type in middle part and CTRL+Enter

Forgotten the Content Advisor Password


If you set a password for the Content Advisor and can't remember it,
the following steps will help you remove it:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to H_KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Policies/Ratings
  3. Delete the entry called Key

Downloading More than Four Files at a Time


Normally you can only download four files at a time with Internet Explorer.
To increase that to as many as you want:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
  3. Change the MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server to whatever number you want
  4. Change the MaxConnectionsPerServer to whatever number you want


Getting and Explorer View of Your Internet Favorites

Added 2/22/00

If you want to see an Explorer type of window of your Internet Favorites,
hold the Shift key down will selecting Favorites / Organize Favorites.

This will show all your favorites and can make it easier to move them around

Disabling the Ability to Add or Remove IE's Toolbars


Normally you can add or remove IE's Toolbars (Standard Button, Address Bar, Links etc)

To disable the ability to add or remove these toolbars

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_USERS \ .DEFAULT \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Toolbars \ Restrictions
  3. Create a DWORD value called NoToolbarOptions
  4. Give it a value of 1

Now, although you can change what is on the toolbars themselves, you can add or remove any.

Specifying the Default Download Directory in Internet Explorer


To specify the default download directory for the Internet Explorer

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_USERS \ .DEFAULT \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer
  3. Add a String value called Download Directory
  4. For it's value, enter in the Directory where you want your downloaded files to go

Disabling the Ability to Change the Default Download Directory


If you want user's not to be able to change the Default Download Directory

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_USERS \ .DEFAULT \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Restrictions
  3. Create a DWORD value called NoSelectDownloadDir
  4. Give it a value of 1

Note: On my Win98 with IE5 this also didn't allow me to download any files.
System Administrators might want to include that as part of their configuration.

Clearing Internet Explorer's AutoComplete Entries


If you want to clear all the entries that show up from past searches, web entries etc.

  1. Start IE
  2. Go to Tools / Internet Options / Content / AutoComplete
  3. Click on the Clear Forms button
  4. If you want to disable this in the future, uncheck any of the boxes that apply

Starting Internet Explorer in Full Screen Kiosk Mode


You can create a shortcut that will start the Internet Explorer in Kiosk mode.
There are no menu's and all commands need to be entered though keystrokes (eg Ctrl-O to open)

  1. Right click on an open area of the desktop
  2. Select New / Shortcut
  3. For the Command enter "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" -k
  4. Give it any name you want

Creating Hidden URL Shortcuts


If you want to create shortcuts to your favorite URLS but don't want them to show in your Favorites folder:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINES / Software / Microsoft / InternetExplorer / AboutURLs
  3. Add String Values with the shortcut name you want to use
  4. Give them the value of the URL you want the shortcut to go to
  5. Then from the Internet Explorer, simply type about:shortcut_name

Easy Way to Scroll Through Web Pages


An easy way to scroll through web pages is with the spacebar.

The spacebar will scroll down a page
Shift-spacebar will scroll up a page

Internet Explorer Repair (IE5)


With IE5 there is a way to do a repair in case the installation has gotten corrupted.

  1. Go to the Control Panel
  2. Open up Add/Remove Programs
  3. Select Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and Internet Tools
  4. Click the Add/Remove button
  5. Check Repair Internet Explorer
  6. Click on the OK button

Quick Way to Change the Security Settings (IE5)


To changing the Security Settings in IE5, simply double-click on the bottom right corner of the status bar.
Your security settings pop-up.

Submitted by

Importing and Exporting Favorites and Cookies with IE5


  1. With IE5 you can now import your Favorites and Cookies
  2. Just select File / Import and Export
  3. The Import/Export Wizard will come up on the screen. Just click on the Next button
  4. Then just select what you want to do.
  5. It will Export or Import from a single file

IE 5 Link Tips


  1. In IE5 you can use the tab key to scroll through links on a page, then hit the Enter key to open the link.
  2. You can also right-click a link, then choose to open it in a new window.
  3. You can also right-click a down-loadable file and select save target to to start the download.


Adding a History Icon to your Desktop (IE5)


Right-click on an open area of the desktop

  1. Select New / Folder.
  2. Type the name, as shown: History.{FF393560-C2A7-11CF-BFF4-444553540000}
  3. The icon will be replaced by the History icon.

Changing Internet Explorer 5.0 Settings


You can change some of the default IE5 settings from the Tools / Internet Options / Advanced / menu

Some of the items include:

  • Enable Page Transitions - Can speed up page display if turned off
  • Notify when downloads complete
  • Print background colors and pictures
  • Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed

Removing Lost IE Supervisor Password


If you forgot your Supervisor Password for the Internet Explorer, you can remove it by:

  1. Starting Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies
  3. Delete the Ratings key

Change Font Size


In IE4, hold down CTRL and use the mouse wheel to increase/decrease font size quickly.

Submitted by

Opening Temporary Internet Files


Normally when you try to open a file in the Temporary Internet Folders directory, you get a warning:
Running a system command on this item may be unsafe. Do you wish to continue?

To remove this warning:

  1. Start the Internet Explorer
  2. Go to View / Internet Options
  3. Click on the Security tab
  4. Select Custom
  5. Go to Launching applications and files in an IFRAME
  6. Check Enable

Now you can click on a file in that directory and open it without the warning.

Quickly Opening a Newsgroup from your Browser



This is a tip for quickly reading a newsgroup without having to download the whole news file which can take quite some time and be rather large.

If you know the name of the newsgroup you want to read:

  1. Within your browser window (either IE4.X or Netscape 4.X) hit Ctrl+O which will bring up the open page window.
  2. Type the following: news:"newsgroup name", (e.g. news:alt.invest) then hit Enter
  3. The newsreader for the application will download the headers for that particular newsgroup.


Internet Explorer in Full Screen Mode


Press F11 to resize windows to a full screen in Internet Explorer 4.0

Submitted by Scott Witherow

Setting Internet Explorer Window Size


When you click on a hyperlink in Outlook or Outlook Express, it will automatically open Internet Explorer
Sometimes this may be in a small window.
To increase or change the size, click on the Restore button, the middle one in the upper right hand corner of the toolbar.
Resize the window and then close the Internet Explorer
The next time you click on a hyperlink, it will open to the size you set.

Organizing Your Favorites


With IE4 or Win98, a shortcut to an easy way to organizing your favorites is to press Ctrl-B while the Internet Explorer is running.
This brings up a box where you can create or delete new folders, re-order folders, sort folders, as well as import and export your favorites.

Reordering Your Links (IE 4)


  1. You can change the order of the links in your IE4 toolbar.
  2. Simply click and hold down the left mouse button over the link you want to move
  3. Then drag it to the new location on the links toolbar
  4. The cursor will change to an I-bar when you have it set correctly

Changing the Links Icon (IE 4)


To change the little icon that appears next to a link:

  1. Right-click on the link
  2. Click on the Internet Shortcut tab
  3. Click on the Change icon button
  4. Select the icon you want to use

Changing the Search Pages Used by Internet Explorer 4.0


Changing the Search icon Engine

When you click on the Search icon in IE4, you go to the default page of http://home.microsoft.com/search/search.asp
To change this setting:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
  3. Change the value for Search Bar to the URL of the search engine you want to use

Changing the Go / Search the Web Engine

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
  3. Change the value for Search Page to the URL of the search engine you want to use

Having IE Load a Default Page Other Than BLANK.HTM


Normally, if a web site can't be found, IE will load the file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\BLANK.HTM
To have it load another file:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Internet Explorer\ Main
  3. Double click on Local Page
  4. Enter the file you want to use

Changing the IE and Outlook Title Bars


To change the IE Title Bar:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
  3. Add or edit the string value Window Title (there is a space between the words)
  4. Add the text you want to appear

To Change the Outlook Title Bar

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express
  3. Add or edit the string value WindowTitle (there is no space)
  4. Add the text you want to appear

Changing the Information Boxes in IE 4


With IE4, when you place the mouse over My Computer, Network Neighborhood, and the Recycle Bin icons, etc.
a small window opens with some information.

For example, over the My Computer icon, it starts with Use My Computer to view the contents of your computer.

To change this text:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Search for InfoTip
  3. Enter the text you want to appear for each icon

Items you can change are:

  • Network Neighborhood
  • My Computer
  • Control Panel
  • Printers
  • The Internet
  • My Documents
  • Recycle Bin
  • Briefcase
  • Internet Explorer
  • Dial-Up Networking

Opening Links in a New Window


Hold down Shift and point with the mouse on a link.
A new IE opens automatically with the new page.

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Accessing your best Favorites


If you have many favorites that you frequently access, but their names areat the end of the alphabet. I rename my "favorite" favorites with a letter and space like this:

A Microsoft Knowledge Base

B Microsft Home Page

This way they are at the top of the list of favorites for easy access.

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Keeping Track of Bookmarks



Bookmark Tip:
For Netscape users; To better keep track of what you found where simply add a "note" to your bookmark.
To do this; highlight a bookmark, select ITEM, select PROPERTIES and in the NAME box to the bookmark's actual name add your "note".
Such as "Great game software, neat utilities Etc."

Explorer users may be able to do a similar thing.

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Changing Internet Explorer's Blank Page


Tired of looking at the page "BLANK.HTM" whenever Internet explorer can not connect to a site on the internet.

Try this simple trick to make this page remove itself whenever it is displayed. You will however still receive a error message telling you that you could not connect to the site.

All you need to do is to edit the file: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\BLANK.HTM until it looks like this:



Microsoft Internet Explorer




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Increasing Viewing Space


To get more viewing space in for web browsing, just go to Options and uncheckText labels and Links.
Click OK then highlight the bottom of the toolbars and shift them up.

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Changing the Directory for the Internet Explorer Cache


By default, the Internet Explorer creates four directories Cache1-4 where it places all the HTML pages, graphics, AVI's etc that you view
If you want to move this location or even have only one cache that points to a directory of your choice:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Internet Settings / Cache / Path / Path1-4
  3. Change the value of the paths to a single location or any location of your choice
  4. You can even just have PATH1 and delete the other three
  5. The next time you start the Internet Explorer, the cache files will only be placed in the directories of your choice

This can be useful if you want to delete the files often. You can then just delete the files in the single directory

Changing the Title Bar of the Internet Explorer


By default, the title bar on the Internet Explorer says Microsoft Corporation Internet Explorer
To change this to the text of your choice:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Internet Explorer / Main
  3. Add or edit the value of the string Window Title to be the new text you want displayed

Changing the Internet Explorer, Mail and News Bitmap


If you want to change the bitmap that is in the upper right hand corner:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Toolbar
  3. Make a new String Value named BrandBitmap
  4. Give it a value of the BMP file you want to use
  5. You can include the full path
  6. The size should be approximately 32x32 but the tool bar will grow to accommodate the size
  7. This will change the bitmap that is used for Internet Explorer, Internet Mail and Internet News

Using Other Mail Packages with Internet Explorer


To change the Internet Explorer to use another e-mail package than Exchange when sending mail:

  1. Open a Folder
  2. Select View / Options and then File Types
  3. Go to URL:MailTo Protocol
  4. Click on the Edit button
  5. Highlight Open and click on the Edit button again
  6. Under Application used to perform action: enter the path and program for your e-mail application
  7. You may need additional switches depending on your e-mail program
  8. If you are concerned about going back to Exchange again, copy the existing setting to a file. You can then paste this back again if needed.

Viewing Drives with IE 3.0


You can go to you hard drive or run applications by typing their path into the Internet Explorer address bar.
For example try typing C:\ into the address bar and watch what happens. Is this signs of things to come from IExplorer?

Note from Bob: - You can also view resources on servers the same way.
For the URL enter a UNC such as \\server\share

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Changing your Favorites Location


You might want to change the location where the Internet Explorer looks for your store Favorite sites.
This can come in useful if you have multiple operating systems (Windows95 and NT 4.0) and want to share
the save set of Favorites or you simply want to have greater control over where you favorites are stored.

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
  3. Double click on Favorites in the right hand panel
  4. Enter the new location
  5. Click on the OK button
  6. Do the same for the User Shell Folders section a few lines down
  7. Close Regedit
  8. Create the directory you just pointed to
  9. Copy any existing Favorites to that location
  10. Be sure to include all folders
  11. Start the Internet Explorer

Adding IE3.0 Bookmarks to the Start Menu

  1. Open the taskbar settings menu
  2. Click advanced.
  3. Create a new folder named Bookmarks.
  4. Start Explorer and go to the folder c:\windows\Favorites. This is the IE3.0 bookmark file.
  5. Select the Bookmarks and Folders you want in the start menu.
  6. Select copy.
  7. Switch back to the Taskbar properties menu and paste to the bookmarks file.
  8. If you have a dial-up account and have autodial setup, clicking on a bookmark from the Start menu will start IE, connect to your provider and load the page.


Adding Custom Links and Applications to Internet Explorer 3.0 Toolbar


Along the toolbar are several default links, Best of the Web, Today's Links etc.
To change the URL and description to your preference:

  1. Start Internet Explorer 3.0
  2. Select View / Options
  3. Click on the Navigation tab
  4. Click on the down arrow by Page
  5. Select Quick Link #1-5
  6. In the Name box, type the name you would like to see on the toolbar
  7. In the Address box, enter the URL. If it is the current page, click on the Use Current button
  8. To add an application, simply type in the full path and application. To run it, click on the button, select Open It and then Yes
  9. If you have more changes, click on the Apply button
  10. You will see the change to your toolbar immediately
  11. Click on the OK button when you are finished

has another addition I never would have thought of.
Make one of these links point to a hard drive (C:\, D:\)
When you click on it, you get an Explorer type view of that drive.
He uses it to create folders on the fly to download software into.

Adding your HTML Editor to the Internet Explorer 3.0 Toolbar


You can add your favorite HTML Editor, or any other program, to the Internet Explorer 3.0 toolbar.

  1. Open up any folder
  2. Select View / Options
  3. Select File Types
  4. Scroll down until you can select Internet Document (HTML)
  5. Click in the Edit button
  6. Under the Actions section at the bottom click on the New button
  7. For the Action: type the word Edit
  8. For the Application used to perform action: you can enter the path for your application or browse

The next time you start the Internet Explorer 3.0, a Edit icon will be on the toolbar.
If you selected your HTML editor, when you click on that icon, your editor will be started and will load the current web page.

Organizing Internet Explorer's Favorites


An easy way to organize all your Favorite web sites is to hold the Shift key down
while selecting Favorites / Organize Favorites.
This will show you all the sites and folders. It makes it easy to move sites and create new folders.

Changing the Internet Explorer's ToolBar Background


If you want to change the background on your Internet Explorer 3.0 toolbar:

  1. Start IE 3.0
  2. Go to View / Options
  3. Click on the General tab
  4. Uncheck Background Bitmap
  5. Exit the Internet Explorer
  6. Start Regedit
  7. Go to HKey_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Internet Explorer / Toolbar
  8. Double-click on Back Bitmap
  9. Enter the path and filename for the BMP file you want to use
  10. Re-start Internet Explorer 3.0

Turning off the underline of hot links in Internet Explorer 3.0


Internet Explorer 3.0 has no setting for turning off underline of hot links.
It can be done in the registry. In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
change the value of "Anchor Underline" to "no".

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TypedURLs
has the URLs which appear when you click the arrow in the Address window.

Starting the Internet Explorer with no initial Start Page


By default, the Internet Explorer always loads a startup page.
This can add time starting the program, especially with a modem.

To start with no Startup Page:

  1. Open the Registry Editor
  2. Search for The Internet
  3. This should bring you to {FBF23B42 ...
  4. Click on the + signs until you get to Shell / Open / Command
  5. Double-Click on the (Default) in the right panel.
  6. Add -nohome after the IEXPLORE.EXE.
  7. For Example: C:\Program Files\Plus!\Microsoft Internet\IEXPLORE.EXE -nohome
  8. Restart the Internet Explorer and it will come up to a blank URL.

Keeping Control of URL Bookmarks


  1. Create Folder called Bookmarks
  2. Rom the Internet Explorer or Netscape, Right click on a Web page and select "create shortcut"
  3. Copy these from Desktop location to Bookmarks folder
  4. Drop Bookmarks Folder onto Start Button (into Start folder)
  5. Now you can click on Start and then on Bookmarks and you have alphabetical list of Bookmarks
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