Windows 10 FAQ

Web Browsers FAQ

Update: 17 June 2022

1. How do I use the new Web Browsers in Windows 10?

Windows 10 has added Microsoft Edge to replace Internet Explorer 11 web browser. Internet Explorer is provided for backward compatibility but the new Edge browser is brand new, it has a new engine called Chromiumwhich supports the latest HTML, CSS, Javascript protocols and uses new style addons and extensions. You can download new Edge browser from here.

2. How do I remove or change the default browser?

By default the Edge browser is the default program for web pages and viewing HTML documents. You can change it via Settings, Apps, Default Programs and change the default for Web Browser to another installed web browser.

3. How do I view previous web sites I have visited?

Previous web sites are cached and also a history of websites is stored. You can enter the approximate address in the address box with some suggestions given. Press the dots (...) and select History, pressing Ctrl+H or entering Edge://History will display a list of websites you have visited.

4. I cannot change my home page, it reverts to another page again?

You probably have some advertising or spyware installed. Look in Add/Remove Programs to remove it or download Adaware, Microsoft Defender or Malwarebytes Anti-malware program to search and remove spy sofware.
A list of other security programs can be found on the AntiVirus-Partners page.

5. How can I reduce the number of Cookies saved on my PC?

You need to increase the security level for cookies under Settings, Privacy, Search and Services.. You set cookies settings to Basic, Balanced or Strict and you can clear out cached cookies via Clear browsing data option.

6. Where can I update my version of browser?

Windows will automatically update the version of Edge in the background, you can manually updating it via settings, Help and Feedback, About Microsoft Edge or enter Edge://settings/help page.

7. Where can I download other web browsers?

If you do not like Microsoft browsers, try other browsers such as Firefox, Avant , Opera, Maxthon, Chrome, AVG Secure Browser.
Other browsers include k-Meleon, Lunascape, SRWare Iron, Sleipnir and Comodo Dragon.
Older browsers can be found on OldApps.

8. I am unable to view web pages, they are not found or blocked?

Check settings in Settings, Privacy, Search and Services. Make sure that the privacy settings are not too high (Balanced is preferred). If you have a firewall program installed, then check that your browser is allowed access to the internet, and re-check other settings. You need ports 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS) and possibly 21 (FTP) enabled. Also, make sure your connection is active (use Ping to check a web site address or gateway address) and use ipconfig /all to check that you have the correct IP and DNS addresses set up. Sometimes re-connecting to your ISP or rebooting your Modem or recent ADSL or a modern Fibre Router may help.

9. What ís the difference between JavaScript and Java?

These are two entirely different scripting languages. Javascript is a client-side programming language to provide dynamic web content such as login scripts, check to see what browser you have, picture changes and so on. Internet Explorer has Javascript built in (see JScript and ECMAScript). If you look at the html source, you may find code that start with <SCRIPT language="JavaScript">.
Java, is a platform independant programming language by Oracle, and runs programs called applets which runs a Java program called a .class file within a web page, if you look at html source, you may find an entry that looks like: <APPLET CODE="program.class">. Java programs are written using a JDK (Java Development Kit), some are free and some are commercial e.g. Borland's J Builder. Windows does not include Java by default.

10. How do I clear out the list of web sites I have visited?

In Edge, click on dots (...) at top right, select History, then the dots, and then Clear browsing data.

11. How do I enable or disable the auto-storage of username, passwords and other user information?

In Edge, click on dots (...) at top right, select Settings, Profiles, Passwords, and turn on or off the Offer to save passwords option.

12. How I change the default home page in browser?

Open Settings, select Start, home and new tabs. Select Open these Pages and enter address of your favourite site or your own HTML document on your computer.

13. What is a Proxy and where do I change the settings to point to my proxy server?

A Proxy server is a server used to cache web content from web sites visited by users, this improves performance for users as it cuts down traffic to or from the internet when common web sites are accessed. A proxy program for Windows is WinProxy. In Edge, click on dots (...) at top right, select Settings, System and then click Open your computer's proxy settings. You need to specify the Hostname or address and Port of the proxy server.
To block internet access within browser, configure proxy settings to a fakeproxy address.

14. I am unable to browse the internet ?

If the browser settings are corrupted or incorrect, you can reset them via Settings, Reset Settings and select Restore settings to their default values.

A configuration error in your network settings can also stop browsing, see Network Connections to change network settings esp. TCPIPv4 settings and the DNS setting.

15. How do I reinstall Edge?

Microsoft Edge can be downloaded from Microsoft Edge page and installed or removed as normal.

16. How do I know what plugins, addons or extensions are installed?

In Edge, enter in the address bar; edge://components or edge://extensions to view and manage additonal add-ons.

17. How do I turn off pop up windows in IE or Edge?

In Edge, select the dots (...) at the top right, Settings, Site permissions and enable or disable Pop-ups and redirects.

18. How do I prevent access to certain undesirable web pages?

In Edge, select the dots (...) at the top right, Settings, and select Family Safety to configure Content filters and so on.

19. How do i sync settings with other computers or devices?

See Settings, Phone and other devices to configure Sync with those devices.

20. How do I secure my Edge browser?

In Edge, open Settings, Privacy and Services and configure the following to maximise Edge protection:
a) Tracking Prevention: Strict.
b) Clear browsing data. Enable options what to clear when closing the browser e.g. history, cache, passwords, autofill, site permissions.
c) Privacy. Send 'Do not track' requests enabled.
d) Security. Enable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
e) Secure DNS. Select a Secure DNS provider.
f) Search. Disable search and site suggestions.
g) Search Engine. Use the default Bing search provider for Inprivate search service.

21. What is Phishing and how do I enable or disable it?

Thieves and fraudsters tend to create fake websites which emulate banks, building societies, auction sites and so on which ask for your personal details and use that information to get your identity and thus use it to steal information, money or goods on the internet. Phishing detection should be left on to detect such sites and block them automatically.
In Edge, enable the Defender Smartscreen setting for Anti-phishing security.

22. How do I transfer or view usernames and passwords in Edge?

Usernames and passwords are stored in Settings, Profiles, Passwords, and in the Save passwords list.

Ideally you should not use the built in password manager but a secure third party solution like LastPass. Lastpass has the advantage of being mobile and can be accessed from other browsers and other locations when installed and logged onto.

23. Can I install an older browser on Windows 10?

No, you cannot install older versions of Internet Explorer on Windows 10. If you need to run applications that specifically need older browser, you can either:
- Use Internet Explorer mode, in Edge. See Settings, Default Browser and select option for IE compatibility.
- Use Hyper-V or Virtualbox and use Windows XP with IE 6, 7 or 8. Windows 7 for IE 8 or 9.
- Use a tool called IETester to test different browser versions.
- Use the Compatibility View Settings in the Page menu in IE 11 for old web sites.

24. How do I change the default download directory?

Open Settings, Downloads, and change the Location for downloads (by default it is C:\Users\username\Downloads).

25. What keyboard shortcuts can I use in Edge?

What keyboard shortcuts can I use in Edge?

Edge keyboard shortcuts can be found here.

26. How do I stop drive-by malware and other unwanted programs?

Make sure that the following are applied to your computer:
a) Make sure that Windows' Automatic updates are enabled and they are all installed every month.
b) Leave User Account Control on to notify you of potential unwanted installs.
c) Regularly upgrade any applications that have plugins to your browser especially: Adobe Flash, Shockware, Acrobat Reader, Java and RealPlayer.
d) Install a good and trusted Anti-Virus product and if possible install security addons for the browser such as McAfee's WebAdvisor, AVG Secure Search, Norton Safe Web.
e) Switch to an alternative web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Opera.

Flash also has its own Control Panel, which you can use to change settings including how often to check for updates. Alternatively, a mms.cfg file can be created in the Flash folder to control update settings.

27. I cannot view secure web pages using HTTPS?

More and more websites are now secured using HTTPS (Hypertext Transport Protocol Secure) which are encrypted using TLS certificates (SSL is the old name). The current supported and secure version is TLS 1.2.
If you visit a site, you can view the certificate by either clicking on the padlock icon on the Address bar or select File, Properties and look at the Connection properties and also the certificate button. Things to check is that the certificate name matches the actual web site name and that it has not expired. Do not automatically assume, that a web site that is encrypted is trustworthy, scammers can use name variations and copied graphics and layout to mimic the real thing to fool users.
If your machine does not have a the correct root certificate, certificates may be flagged as untrusted, so you should visit the Certificate Authority's website to download and install your certificates , once installed, any web sites that uses that root certificate will be trusted by the computer.

Web Browsers - Internet Explorer

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