Windows 8.1 FAQ

Internet Explorer FAQ

1. How do I use the new Internet Explorer in Windows 8?

Windows 8 has added Internet Explorer 10 using the new User Interface via the Start menu. The controls at the bottom of the screen are as follows:
a) Back to previous page (Backspace key)
b) Web address (press Right mouse button for controls agains)
c) Reload page (F5 key)
d) Pin site to start menu or favourites
e) Page Tools (Get app, Find on page, View on Desktop)
f) Forward to next page (if any)

You can use the Tab key to switch between web sites in your history.
Press RMB on mouse to get controls and the New Tab and Tab tools.
More keyboard shortcuts can be found here.

2. I do not wish to have Internet Explorer on my desktop, how do I remove it?

By default Internet Explorer is not shown, if an icon is shown you can just delete it. You can also remove it from the quick launch bar by dragging the icon off the bar onto the desktop and then into the Recycle Bin. Internet Explorer 10 can be removed from Control Panel, Programs, Turn Windows Features on or off.

If you want a shortcut to the original desktop version of Internet Explorer, create a shortcut to C:\Program file\Programs files (x86)\Internet Explore\iexplorer.exe.

3. How do I shutdown my dial up when I finish with Internet Explorer?

Open Internet Options (via Control panel, Network and Internet), click on Connections, then Settings, then Advanced and finally tick
Disconnect when connection may no longer be used.

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 Windows Defender or Malwarebytes Anti-malware program to search and remove spy sofware.
A list of other security programs can be found on the AntiVirus Software page.

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

You need to increase the Security level for cookies under Privacy in Internet Options. You may add sites manually that require a lower setting. Click Edit and then enter web address and click Allow or click Block to block specific sites.

6. Where can I update my version of Internet Explorer?

Most Windows come with a version of Internet Explorer, but you can update it either via Windows Update site or Internet Explorer home page. You can only have one version of IE installed at any time. But you can install other third party browsers or something like IETester.
Internet Explorer 11 is the latest Internet Explorer for Windows 8.1. Microsoft Edge is the replacement for IE (upto version 109).

7. Where can I download other web browsers?

If you do not like IE, try other browsers such as Firefox, Avant , Opera, Maxthon, Chrome, or Edge.
Other browsers include k-Meleon, Lunascape, SRWare Iron, and Comodo Dragon.
Older browsers can be found on OldVersion.

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

Check settings in Tools, Internet Options. Make sure that Security settings are not too high (Medium 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-dialling your ISP or rebooting your ADSL Modem 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 JavaScript 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), or an IDE like Netbeans.

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

Open Tools, Internet Tools and on the General tab, select Clear History.

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

Open Tools, Internet Tools and on the Content tab, click on the AutoComplete button and enable or disable what features you want to save.

12. How I disconnect from the Internet when I close down Internet Explorer?

Open Tools Internet Options, then on the Connections tab, click Settings next to Dial up and Virtual Private Network settings and click on Advanced then tick the Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed.

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. You need to specify the Hostname or address and Port of the proxy server in Internet Options under Connections, LAN Settings. Unix servers tend to use a proxy server called Squid or you can try WinGate for Windows.

14. I am unable to browse the internet after an upgrade or an uninstall?

Some programs can interfere with IE and browsing. See Network Connections to check and change network settings esp. TCPIPv4 settings and the DNS setting.

15. How do I reinstall Internet Explorer?

Internet Explorer is built into Windows 8 so it cannot be uninstalled or reinstalled. Run SFC /Scannow to restore any missing files. Internet Explorer 10 can be removed from Control Panel, Programs, Turn Windows Features on or off.

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

With Internet Explorer, there is a Manage Add-ons option on the IE Tools menu which lists installed plugins. Here you can Enable or Disable any installed ActiveX plugins such as those for Acrobat Reader, Flash, Shockwave, Toolbars etc.

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

In IE, there is a Pop-up Blocker option on the IE Tools menu.

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

There are plenty of web sites with undesirable content such as those concerned with sex, violence and bad language. You can block these using the Restricted Sites feature in the Security tab of Internet Options and add the web site name there. You can also enable the Content Advisor on the Content tab. Click Enable and set the level you require. This is recommended if you have Children to access the internet and need to block sites automatically.

19. How do i get the menu options back in Internet Explorer?

To get the File, Edit, View, Favorites, Tools and Help menus back, click on Tools, Menu Bar on the right hand side. You can also move the menu to the top of the window using this registry fix. Open Regedit and browse to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser. Select New, DWORD and enter ITBar7Position and assign it a value of 1. Reload IE to see new setting take effect.

20. What is 'Protected Mode' in the Security tab in Internet Explorer?

Protected Mode isolates the web browser from the system, so that downloads including malware (ad ware, spyware etc) does not infect your Windows system and compromise your personal information to outside sources. Turning off Protected mode for Internet or Intranet websites will cause a warning to appear at the top of the browser.

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.
To turn it on or off, go to Tools, Phishing Filter and tick or un-tick Turn on automatically website checking.

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

Usernames and passwords are stored in Protected Storage on the PC. Although it is not very secure as there are utilities that can view the Protected Storage. For example, try the freeware tool called IE PassView from NirSoft. The passwords are cleared out if the History cache is also cleared out so you need to visit the sites again.

23. Can I install an older Internet Explorer on Windows 8?

No, you cannot install older versions of Internet Explorer on Windows 8. If you need to run applications that specifically need IE6 (which will shows some bad programming practises), the you can either:
- Use Hyper-V or Virtualbox and use Windows XP with IE6, 7 or 8. Windows 7 for IE 8 or 9.
- Use a tool called IETester to test different browser versions.

24. How do I change the default download directory?

Open Regedit and change the following entry, for example, change it to your desktop:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
Download Directory="C:\Users\username\Desktop"

25. What keyboard shortcuts can I use in Internet Explorer?

26. How can I tell what version of Adobe Flash I have installed?

There are a couple of tester pages to check the version of Flash. If you find that you have an out of date version, you can update via Windows Update (not Adobe's site).
Note that other browsers such as Firefox require their own version of Flash Player.

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.

NB: Flash has been discontnued by Adobe. An alternative is called SuperNova Player, an extension for Chrome or Edge browsers.

27. Where can I get other plugins for Internet Explorer?

a) Silverlight - Microsoft's multi-platform media plugin.
b) Adobe AIR - A cross-platform tool for games and apps.
c) SVG Viewer - a scalable vector graphics SVG viewer.
d) Cosmo Player - a VRML player plug-in.
e) Other plugins from CNet Downloads.

28. I have upgraded to Internet Explorer 9 but how do I uninstall it and revert to IE8?

Open Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features and select Installed Updates and locate the section called Microsoft Windows. In there there is an update called Windows Internet Explorer 9, select it and select Uninstall.

29. 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 SiteAdvisor, AVG Secure Search, Norton Safe Web.
e) Switch to an alternative web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Opera.

30. How do I make Internet Explorer the default browser?

Open Control Panel, Network and Internet then Internet Options. Click on the Programs tab and click on the Make Default button.

31. I get debug messages, how do I turn them off?

Open Internet Options (via Tools menu or control panel), click on Advanced and tick Disable Script Debugging. A debug message appears when there is an error in client side scripts (e.g. Javascript) written on the web page and hasn`t been fixed since. be curteous and inform the author about them.

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