Windows and System settings

>You can also modify some Windows and system settings that may help improve browsing performance in Internet Explorer. The following methods may help improve browsing performance in Internet Explorer.

Hard disk optimization

>You can use the Disk Cleanup tool to free some hard disk space. Additional disk space may help improve browsing performance for Internet Explorer.

For additional information about the Disk Cleanup tool and how to free hard disk space, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

You can also use ScanDisk to check the hard disk for problems that may be using disk space. To use ScanDisk:

1. Make sure the hard disk is not running in MS-DOS Compatibility mode. To check this:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon, and then click the Performance tab.
3. In the Performance status box, check for items that show MS-DOS Compatibility mode. For additional information about troubleshooting MS-DOS Compatibility mode issues, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base

2. Click Start, click Run, type scandisk in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. Click the drive you want to scan, and then click Start

Windows virtual memory

Allow Windows to manage the virtual memory on your computer. To enable virtual memory:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click System, click the Performance tab, and then click Virtual Memory.

3. Click Let Windows manage my virtual memory settings. (Recommended).

4. Click OK, click Close, and then click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer.

Video adapter driver and resolution

Updating your video adapter driver or lowering the display resolution may help improve browsing in Internet Explorer. Check with the manufacturer of your video adapter to obtain the latest driver for the adapter. To lower the display resolution:

1.	Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2.	Double-click the Display icon, and then click the Settings tab.
3.	In the Screen Area box, click a lower resolution, and then click OK.

Description of the Cache Settings

There are four options under Check for newer versions of stored pages:

•Every visit to the page: When you return to a page you viewed previously, Internet Explorer should check to see whether the page changed since you last viewed it. If the page has changed, Internet Explorer displays the new page and stores it in the Temporary Internet Files. Note that selecting this option can slow down browsing between pages you have already viewed. Every time you start Internet Explorer: When you view a Web site that you have visited before in the same Internet Explorer session, Internet Explorer uses the cached temporary Internet files instead of downloading the page. If you press F5 or click Refresh, Internet Explorer downloads the page. •Automatically (Internet Explorer 5 and later only): This is the same as the previous setting, but with a logic algorithm to understand the habits of Web page behavior. This setting specifies that when you return to a page you viewed previously, Internet Explorer should not check to see whether the page has changed since you last viewed it.

If you select this setting, Internet Explorer checks for new content only when you return to a page that you viewed in an earlier session of Internet Explorer or on an earlier day. Over time, if Internet Explorer determines that images on the page are changing infrequently, it checks for newer images even less frequently. • Never: Internet Explorer does not check the Web server for newer content.

To View or Modify the Cache Settings

1. On the View menu, click Internet Options.

2. In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Settings.

3. Click the option you want, click OK, and then click OK.

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Web Browser

A web browser is a software application which enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music and other information typically located on a Web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network. Text and images on a Web page can contain hyperlinks to other Web pages at the same or different website. Web browsers allow a user to quickly and easily access information provided on many Web pages at many websites by traversing these links. Web browsers format HTML information for display, so the appearance of a Web page may differ between browsers .

Some of the Web browsers available for personal computers include Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Opera in order of descending popularity (in November 2007).^[2] Web browsers are the most commonly used type of HTTP user agent. Although browsers are typically used to access the World Wide Web, they can also be used to access information provided by Web servers in private networks or content in file systems.

INTERNET EXPLORER

Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer abbreviated MSIE), commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. It has been the most widely used web browser since 1999, attaining a peak of about 95% usage share during 2002 and 2003 with IE5 and IE6 but steadily declining since, despite the introduction of IE7.

After the first release for Windows 95, additional versions of Internet Explorer were developed for other operating systems: Internet Explorer for Mac and Internet Explorer for UNIX (the latter for use through the X Window System on Solaris and HP-UX), and versions for older versions of Windows. Only the Windows version remains in active development; the Mac OS X and UNIX version are no longer supported.

Internet Explorer was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95. Later versions are available as free downloads and are also included in the OEM service releases of Windows 95 and in later versions of Windows. The most recent release is version 7.0, which is available as a free update for Windows XP with Service Pack 2, and Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 or later, and is included with Windows Vista. An embedded OEM version called Internet Explorer for Windows CE (IE CE) is also available for WinCE based platforms and is currently based on IE6. Another Windows CE/ Windows Mobile browser known as Internet Explorer Mobile is from a different codebase and should not be confused with desktop versions of the browser.

INTERNET EXPLORER FOR MAC

Internet Explorer for Mac (also referred to as Internet Explorer: mac, IE: mac or Internet Explorer Macintosh Edition) was a proprietary web browser developed by Microsoft for the Macintosh platform. Initial versions were developed from the same code base as Internet Explorer for Windows. Later versions diverged, particularly with the release of version 5 which included the Tasman rendering engine.

As a result of the five-year agreement between Apple and Microsoft in 1997, it was the default browser on Mac OS before it was replaced by Apple's own Safari web browser in 2003. Internet Explorer for Mac remained available for download from Microsoft until January 31, 2006. However, no major updates had been released since March 27, 2000, aside from bug fixes and updates to take advantage of new features in Mac OS X.

On June 13, 2003, Microsoft announced that it was ceasing further development of Internet Explorer for Mac. The browser was not included in default installation of Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger" which was released on April 29, 2005. Microsoft discontinued support for the product on December 31, 2005 and removed the application from their Macintosh downloads site on January 31, 2006. Microsoft recommends "that Macintosh users migrate to more recent web browsing technologies such as Apple's Safari." [2]

Macintosh, or for newer models, Mac, is a brand name which covers several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The original Macintosh was released on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI) rather than a command line interface.

The idea for a personal computer appropriate for the ordinary consumer dates to the late 1970s and an Apple development team was established in 1979. After the success of the original Macintosh in 1984, the company quickly established market share only to see it dissipate in the 1990s as Microsoft came to monopolize personal computing. Apple consolidated multiple, consumer-level desktop models into the 1998 iMac, which sold extremely well and saw the brand name revitalized. Current Mac systems are mainly targeted at the home, education, and creative professional markets. They are the upgraded iMac and the entry-level Mac mini desktop models, the workstation-level Mac Pro tower, the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops, and the Xserve server.

Production of the Mac is based on a vertical integration model in that Apple facilitates all aspects of its hardware and creates its own operating system that is pre-installed on all Macs. Apple exclusively produces Mac hardware, choosing internal systems, designs, and prices. Apple does use third party components, however; current Macintosh CPUs use Intel's x86 architecture (formerly the AIM alliance's PowerPC and originally Motorola's 68k). Apple also develops the operating system for Macs, currently Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard". This is in contrast to most IBM compatible PCs, where multiple vendors create hardware intended to run another company's software. The modern Mac, like other personal computers, is capable of running alternative operating systems such as Linux, FreeBSD, and Microsoft Windows, which is considered to be the Mac's biggest competitor.

INTERNET EXPLORER FOR UNIX

Internet Explorer for UNIX is a proprietary graphical web browser that was freely available and produced by Microsoft for use in the X Window System on Solaris or HP-UX. Development ended with a version of Internet Explorer 5 in 2001 and support for it was completely discontinued in 2002.

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How to improve browsing performance in internet explorer?

The most common cause of poor performance in Internet Explorer is large pictures, sounds, videos, or other multimedia files that appear or are played automatically when you access a Web page. If you are using a slow connection to access the Internet, these files may take a long time to appear or be played.

To improve browsing performance in Internet Explorer, you can prevent pictures, sounds, videos, and other multimedia files from appearing or being played automatically when you access Web pages. To do so, use the appropriate method.

Internet Explorer versions 5, 5.5, and 6

1. Start Internet Explorer, and then click Internet Options on the Tools menu.

2. On the Advanced tab, click to clear one or more of the following check boxes in the Multimedia area:

Show Pictures (prevents pictures from appearing automatically)

Play Sounds (prevents sounds from being played automatically)

Play Videos (prevents videos from being played automatically)

Play Animations (prevents animations from being played automatically)

3. Click Apply.

4. Disable the AutoComplete feature for forms and passwords:

a. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

b. Click the Content tab, and then click AutoComplete.

c. Click to clear the Forms and User names and passwords on forms check boxes, click OK, and then click OK.

5. Click the Security tab, and then click Custom Level.

6. Click Disable for one or more of the items in the following Active Content areas:

•ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins (prevents Internet Explorer from automatically using items that show active content)

•Java (prevents Internet Explorer from viewing Java programs automatically)

•Scripting

NOTE: If you disable ActiveX, Java, and scripting, you may not be able to view Web sites that use these features.

7. Click OK, and then click OK.

Internet Explorer 4.x

1. Start Internet Explorer, and then click Internet Options on the View menu.
2. On the Advanced tab, click to clear one or more of the following check boxes in the Multimedia area:

Show Pictures (prevents pictures from appearing automatically)

Play Sounds (prevents sounds from being played automatically)

Play Videos (prevents videos from being played automatically)

3. Click Apply.

4. Click the Security tab, click Custom, and then click Settings.

5. Click Disable for one or more of the items in the following Active Content areas:

ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins (prevents Internet Explorer from by design using items that show active content)

Java (prevents Internet Explorer from viewing Java programs automatically)

Scripting

6. Click OK.

Internet Explorer 3.x

1. Start Internet Explorer, and then click Options on the View menu

2. On the General tab, click to clear one or more of the following check boxes in the Multimedia area:

Show Pictures (prevents pictures from appearing automatically)

Play Sounds (prevents sounds from being played automatically)

Play Videos (prevents videos from being played automatically)

Click the Security tab, and then click to clear one or more of the following check boxes in the Active Content area:

Allow Downloading Of Active Content (prevents Internet Explorer from loading animations and other multimedia files automatically)

Enable ActiveX Controls And Plug-ins (prevents Internet Explorer from automatically using items that show active content)
3. Run ActiveX Scripts (prevents ActiveX scripts from running automatically)
Enable Java Programs (prevents Internet Explorer from viewing Java programs automatically)
NOTE: If you disable ActiveX, Java, and scripting, you may not be able to view Web sites that use these features.
4. Click OK.

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Dynamic Security Protection

Internet Explorer 7 provides security through a robust new architecture, security features that help defend against malicious software (also known as malware), and new ways to better protect against the theft of personal data from fraudulent websites, a practice known as phishing.
Phishing Filter

This filter warns you about and helps to protect you against potential or known fraudulent websites, and blocks the sites if appropriate. This opt-in filter is updated several times per hour using the latest security information from Microsoft and several industry partners.

Delete browsing history

Clean up cached pages, passwords, form data, cookies, and history, all from a single window.

ActiveX opt-in

Disable nearly all pre-installed ActiveX controls to prevent potentially vulnerable controls from being exposed to attack. You can easily enable or disable ActiveX controls as needed through the Information Bar and the Add-on Manager.

Security Status bar

Color-coded notifications appear next to the address bar to make you aware of website security and privacy settings. The Address Bar changes to green for websites bearing new High Assurance certificates, indicating the site owner has completed extensive identity verification checks. Phishing Filter notifications, certificate names, and the gold padlock icon also appear next to the address bar for better visibility. You can easily display certificate and privacy detail information with a single click on the Security Status bar.

Cross-domain barriers

Internet Explorer 7 helps to prevent the script on webpages from interacting with content from other domains or windows. This enhanced safeguard gives you additional protection against malware by helping to prevent malicious websites from manipulating flaws in other websites or causing you to download undesired content or software.

Address bar protection

Every window, whether it's a pop-up or standard window, will show you an address bar, helping to block malicious sites from emulating trusted sites.

International domain name anti-spoofing

In addition to adding support for International Domain Names in URLs, Internet Explorer also notifies you when visually similar characters in the URL are not expressed in the same language—protecting you against sites that could otherwise appear as known, trustworthy sites.

URL handling security

Redesigned URL parsing ensures consistent processing and minimizes possible exploits. The new URL handler helps centralize critical data parsing and increases data consistency throughout the application.

Fix My Settings

To help protect you from browsing with unsafe settings, Internet Explorer 7 warns you with an Information Bar when current security settings may put you at risk. Within the Internet Control Panel, you will see certain critical items highlighted in red when they are unsafely configured. The Information Bar will continue to remind you as long as the settings remain unsafe. You can instantly reset Internet security settings to the "Medium-High" default level by clicking the "Fix My Settings" option in the Information Bar.

Add-ons disabled mode

If you have difficulties launching Internet Explorer or reaching specific websites, you can start Internet Explorer in "No Add-ons" mode, where only critical system add-ons are enabled.

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Menu Item Description

File

Items related to opening, saving, printing and checking the Properties of web pages

Edit

Standard Windows items undo, cut, copy, paste, find plus an option to edit the HTML code of the current page

View

Items related to controlling the screen display, refreshing the screen, looking at the source code for a web page and changing Internet Explorers configuration

Go

Items related to moving around, accessing the history folder (web pages accessed during the current session), and accessing a variety of web resources

Favorites

Favorites used to add to and organize the list of Favorites (or specially marked sites)

Help

Contains a number of ways to get help, from an online tutorial to online support 

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Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 7 is the most secure version of Internet Explorer to date and now it’s easier to install.

Get Oriented

Internet Explorer 7 offers a new streamlined interface, making it easier to manage your Favorites and access the other tasks and tools you use most

Everyday tasks made easier

With Internet Explorer 7, you can browse the web more easily with improvements to everyday online tasks such as printing, searching, organizing, and accessing information.

Tabbed Browsing

View multiple sites in a single browser window. Easily switch from one site to another through tabs at the top of the browser frame.

Quick Tabs

Easily select and navigate through open tabs by displaying thumbnails of them all in a single window.

Tab Groups

Tabs can be grouped and saved into logical categories, so you can open multiple tabs with a single click. A Tab Group can easily be set as the Home Page Group so the entire Tab Group opens every time Internet Explorer is launched.

Streamlined Interface

A redesigned, streamlined interface maximizes the area of the screen that displays a webpage, so you see more of what you need, and less of what you don't.

Advanced Printing

Internet Explorer 7 automatically scales a webpage for printing, so the entire webpage fits on your printed page. Print options also include adjustable margins, customizable page layouts, removable headers and footers, and an option to print only selected text.

Instant Search Box

Web searches using your favorite search provider can now be entered into a search box within the toolbar, eliminating the clutter of separate toolbars. You can easily choose a provider from the dropdown list or add more providers.

Favorites Center

Get quick and easy access to your Favorites, Tab Groups, Browsing History, and RSS Feed subscriptions. Your Favorites Center expands when needed, and can be anchored in place for even easier access.

RSS Feeds

Internet Explorer 7 automatically detects RSS feeds on sites and illuminates an icon on the toolbar. A single click on the icon allows you to preview and subscribe to the RSS feed if you want—so you’re automatically notified as content is updated. Read RSS feeds directly in the browser, scan for important stories, and filter your view with search terms or site-specific categories.

Page Zoom

Enlarge individual web pages, including both text and graphics, to either focus on specific content or to make content more accessible to those with vision limitations.

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