General page

Personal Settings
Real Name Provides a space for you to specify your name. This information will appear in the From box of the mail and news messages you send.
E-mail Address Provides a space for you to specify your e-mail address. This information will appear in the From box and headers of the mail and news messages you send.
Organization Provides a space for you to specify the name of your company, department, or organization that you belong to. This information will appear in the headers of the news messages you send.
Sending Mail
SMTP Host Provides a space for you to specify your outgoing e-mail server. This information is provided by your Internet service provider or network administrator.

Browser Display page


Page & Link section
Text Specifies the color of text on a page.
Click the color box, and then choose a color from the Color Picker.
Background Specifies the color of the page only if no background image is used.
Click the color box, and then choose a color from the Color Picker.
Text Size Specifies the text size of the page only if no other size has been specified by the Web author.
Already Viewed Specifies the color of links that you have already visited. This color will not be displayed if the Style Sheets check box found in the Web Content page is selected and you visit a Web page that has specified a different color.
Click the color box and then choose a color from the Color Picker.
Not Yet Viewed Specifies the color of links that you have not visited. This color will not be displayed if the Style Sheets check box found in the Web Content page is selected and you visit a Web page that has specified a different color.
Click the color box and then choose a color from the Color Picker.
Underline Links Specifies whether all links on your page should be underlined. Links will not be underlined if the Style Sheets check box found in the Web Content page is selected and you visit a Web page that has specified not to underline links.
Toolbar Settings section
Show Icon Animation Specifies whether the icon chosen from the menu should be displayed in the top-right corner of the toolbar. This icon animates when you download a page. Choose an icon from the menu.
Show Button Bar The button bar provides quick access to frequently used commands, such as Stop and Refresh. To display the button bar in your browser window, select the check box, and then choose a button bar from the menu.
Show Address Bar Specifies whether to display the Address bar. You use the Address bar to type Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) or Web addresses, such as http://www.microsoft.com/.
Show Favorites Bar Specifies whether to display the Favorites bar. To add a Web site, visit the Web site, hold down the mouse button, and then choose Add Page To Favorites from the menu that appears. Then, choose Open Favorites from the Favorites menu, and drag the favorite item to the Toolbar Favorites folder.
Show Status Bar Specifies whether to display the status bar.
Automatically Complete Names Typed In Address Bar Specifies whether Internet Explorer will complete the address you begin to type in the Address bar. When this check box is selected, Internet Explorer reviews the names and then the addresses in the favorites list for match. If it doesn't find a match it reviews the names and then addresses in the history list.

Web Content page

Show Pictures Specifies whether graphical images should be included when pages are displayed. Click Faster to display pictures quickly or click Better to display the best quality available.

Pages that contain several graphical images sometimes display very slowly. If you want to display pages more quickly, make sure this check box is cleared.

When this check box is cleared, you can still display images. To display one picture on a Web page, move the mouse pointer over the picture, hold down the mouse button, and then choose Load Missing Image from the menu that appears.
Show Video Specifies whether video clips should be included when pages are displayed.

Pages that contain video clips sometimes display very slowly. If you want to display pages more quickly, make sure this check box is cleared.
Animated GIFs Specifies whether images defined as "animated images" should animate. When the Looping check box is selected, the image will animate continuously.
Play Sounds Specifies whether music and other sounds should be included when pages are displayed.

Pages that contain audio clips sometimes display very slowly. If you want to display pages more quickly, make sure this check box is cleared.
Allow Page To Specify Colors Specifies whether to display the colors specified by the Web author.
Allow Page To Specify Fonts Specifies whether to display the fonts specified by the Web author.
Show Style Sheets Specifies whether to display Web pages using the attributes given by the Web authors style sheet. If this check box is not selected, Web pages will be displayed using the information specified in the Browser Display.
Show Frames Specifies whether to display Web sites that use frames. You may not be able to view some Web pages if this check box is not selected.
Active Content section
Enable Plug-ins Specifies whether to automatically use plug-ins when requested by a Web site.
Enable ActiveX Specifies whether to automatically run ActiveX Controls from Web sites.
Enable Scripting Specifies whether to automatically run JavaScript.
Progressive Formatting section
Specifies when a page should be updated after an image is downloaded. Click the button that best describes your type of connection.

Home/Search page

Home Page section
Address Specifies the current home page. The home page is the Web site that Internet Explorer displays automatically when it is first started. You can use the Home button on the toolbar to visit your home page at any time.

To change your home page, type a new address in the text box.
Use None Click this if you don't want Internet Explorer to display a page automatically when you start it.
Use Default Click this if you have changed the address for the home page, but want to return to using the default home page (http://www.microsoft.com/).
Search Page section
Address Specifies the current search page. The search page is the Web site that Internet Explorer accesses automatically when you choose Search The Internet from the Go menu or click the Search button on the button bar.

To change your search page, type a new address in the text box.
Use None Click this if you don't want to be able to use the Search The Internet command from the Go menu or click the Search button on the button bar. To search the Internet, you have to type a search service provider's address in the Address bar.
Use Default Click this if you have changed the address for the Search page, but want to return to using the default search page (http://www.microsoft.com/search/default.asp).

Language/Fonts page

Language section
Language Specifies the default language of your browser so that if you visit a site that sends different pages depending on language of your browser, you will receive pages in the language specified.
Fonts section
Character Set Specifies the name of the character set you want to use when displaying pages that don't specify one. After you choose a character set, you can change the font.
Proportional Font Specifies the name of the font you want to use when displaying proportionally spaced text on a page.

Most pages contain text that uses this font. To change the font, choose one from the menu.
Fixed-Width Font Specifies the name of the fixed-width font you want to use.

Some pages contain text that must be displayed in a non-proportional (fixed-width) font. To change the font, choose one from the menu.

Java page

Enable Java Specifies whether Java™ applets will be downloaded. Downloading Java applets may take a longer time on slow modems. If you are not interested in Java applets, you can improve performance by disabling Java. Java is disabled by default.
Java Virtual Machine Specifies the machine to use to interpret the Java code. Choose a machine from the menu.
Byte-Code Verification Byte code is the language in which Java applets are delivered to the browser. Choose one of the following from the menu to determine when you want Internet Explorer to verify the byte code:

Don't Check Code Specifies using the lowest form of verification. Neither byte code on your local drive nor on the network is inspected.
Check Remote Code Specifies that only applets coming from the network are inspected. Any byte code that may have been previously installed on your local drive will not be verified.
Check All Code Specifies using the highest form of verification. Byte code coming from both your local drive and the network are inspected.

Network Access Specifies the amount of access a Java applet has to available networks. Choose one of the following from the Network Access menu.
No Network Access Specifies high-level security. Once downloaded, the applet cannot access any servers on the Internet.
Applet Host Access Specifies medium-level security. Once downloaded, the applet can send and receive information only to and from the server from which it was downloaded.
Unrestricted Access Specifies low-level security. Java applets can send and receive information to and from any server on the Internet.
Restrict Access to Non-Java class files Specifies whether a Java applet can read, create or modify files on your local hard disk. To give Java applets access only to files essential to its program, select the Restrict Access To Non-Java Class Files check box.
Alert on Exception Specifies whether a warning should be displayed if there are errors in the Java applet.
Log Java Output Specifies whether the browser should save the output text from the Java applet. To view the errors, choose Java Messages from the View menu.
Log Java Exceptions Specifies whether the browser should save the Java errors that occurred in the Java applet. To view the errors, choose Java Messages from the View menu.
Load Java Applet After Document Is Finished Specifies whether the browser should download Java applets only after Web pages are downloaded.

Security page

Alerts section
When Entering A Page That Is Secure Specifies to display a message whenever you visit a site that is secure.
When Entering A Page That Is Not Secure Specifies to display a message whenever you visit a site that is not secure.
Before Submitting A Form That Is Not Secure Specifies to display a message before you send information.
Before Submitting A Form Through E-mail Specifies to display a message before you send a form over e-mail.
Before Downloading An ActiveX Control Specifies to display a message before you download an ActiveX control.
Site Certificates section
Lists the security certificates that Internet Explorer recognizes.

Ratings page

Enabled/Disabled Turns ratings on and off.
To use ratings click Enabled. By default, Internet Explorer uses Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSAC), but you can download other rating systems.
Change Password Opens the Change Password dialog box, in which parents or supervisors can create a password for the Ratings dialog box. The next time someone tries to change a ratings setting, Internet Explorer will request a password.
To create a password for Ratings settings, click Change Password and follow the instructions on your screen.
Ratings Service Lists the categories of objectional material in the rating system currently installed on this computer. To set up a ratings restriction level, click a category on the menu. The current restriction level for the category will appear below it. You may need to type the supervisor password before you can change the restriction level.
Add Service Displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate the rating service you would like to use.
Remove Service Removes the ratings service. To do so, select the ratings service from the list, and then click Remove Service.
Options Opens the Ratings Options dialog box.
Ratings Options dialog box (available when you click Options)
User Can See Sites Which Have No Rating Specifies whether people using this computer have permission to view material that has not been rated.

If this check box is selected, some objectionable material might be viewable, if the Web author has neglected to rate the site by using the rating system you are using. However, if the check box is clear, users will be unable to view any unrated Web page, no matter how safe the content on the page may be.
Supervisor Can Type A Password To Allow Users To View Restricted Content Specifies whether users who know the supervisor password can type the password in order to view Web pages containing potentially objectionable material.

If this check box is selected, nobody except the supervisor will be able to view such Web pages on this computer.
Ratings Bureau Provides a space for you to type the URL or Web adddress of the ratings bureau you would like to use.
Ratings Export If another application on your computer supports PICS Rules, you can export your settings. Click Export Ratings, and select where you want to save your PICS Rules file.

Advanced page

History section
Remember The Last Places Visited Provides a space for you to type the number of Web sites the browser should store in its History list. To view the History list, choose Open History from the Go menu.
Cache section
Once Per Session Specifies that the first time you return to a page you viewed previously, Internet Explorer should check to see whether it changed since you last viewed it. If the page has changed, Internet Explorer displays the new page and stores it in the disk cache.
Never Specifies that when you return to a page that you viewed previously, Internet Explorer should not check to see whether the page changed since you last viewed it.
Always Specifies that when you return to a page you viewed previously, Internet Explorer should check to see whether it changed since you last viewed it. If the page has changed, Internet Explorer displays the new page and stores it in the disk cache.
Maximum Size Displays the maximum size and the current size of your cache folder. To remove the contents of the cache, click Empty Now.
Location Displays the current location of the Explorer Cache folder. To change where this folder is stored, click Change Location.
Connections section
Support Multiple Connections Specifies whether you want more than one connection to the Internet.
Max Connections Specifies the maximum number of multiple connections. Choose a value from the menu.
Show Server Messages Specifies whether you want to see messages from the server. This is useful when you are having trouble accessing a site. The server may be able to give you a reason, such as "busy".

Download Options page


Download Folder section
Download Folder Specifies where files downloaded from the Internet will be stored.
Change Folder Displays the Open dialog box, in which you can choose where you want to store downloaded files. To change the Download folder, click Change Folder, locate the new folder on your computer, and then click Select.
Download Manager Options
Maximum Number Of Concurrent Downloads Specifies how many files can be downloaded simultaneously. Choose a value from the menu.
Immediately Remove Items After They Have Been Downloaded Specifies that you do not want the Download Manager (available from the File menu) to maintain a list of the files you download.
Remember The Last Completed Downloads Specifies the maximum number of downloads that you want the Download Manager to maintain. To open the Download Manager, choose Download Manager from the File menu.
Automatically Decode MacBinary Files Specifies whether downloaded MacBinary files should be converted automatically.
Automatically Decode BinHex Files Specifies whether downloaded BinHex files should be converted automatically.

File Helpers page

Description/Extension Lists the applications that will be used to open files that use specific extensions or file types.
Add Opens the Add dialog box, in which you can specify settings for a new file helper. For more information, see the Edit File Helpers dialog box.
Change Opens the Edit File Helper dialog box, in which you can change the settings for the new file helper. For more information, see the Edit File Helpers dialog box.
Delete Removes a selected file helper setting. To remove a file helper, select it from the list, and then click Delete.
Edit File Helper dialog box (available when you click the Add or Change buttons).
Representation section
Description Provides a space for you to type a description for the helper. The text you type will be displayed in the File Helpers list under the Description category.
Extension Provides a space for you to type the extension associated with the helper. The text you type will be displayed in the File Helpers list under the Suffix category.
MIME Type Provides a space for you to type the MIME type (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions).

MIME types are an Internet standard that allows a wide variety of files (text, audio, images, and application) to be transmitted through e-mail. MIME types are used to label files so that applications that handle them know what to do with them.
File Type section
Application Use the Browse button to locate the application you want to be associated with the file type.
File Type Choose a file type from the menu.
File Creator Displays the creator type of the file.
Encoding Specifies whether the file type uses Plain Text or Binary Data.
Macintosh File Macintosh files consist of both a "resource fork" and a "data fork." When Macintosh files are sent to a non-Macintosh platform, everything that is stored in the resource fork must be moved over to the data fork.

Select this check box when you want Macintosh files to be served on non-Macintosh platforms.

Use For Incoming Specifies whether you want the file helper used for downloaded files.
Use For Outgoing Specifies whether you want the file helper used for outgoing files.
Handling section
How To Handle Choose one of the following from the menu:
View With Browser Specifies to open the file in the browser window if the file type is supported by the browser.
View With Application Specifies to open the file by using the specified external application. When you quit the external application, the downloaded file is deleted.
View With Plug-in Specifies to use a specified plug-in to view the file. To locate the plug-in on your system, click Browse.
Post-Process With Application Specifies to handles the file later with a specified application. For example, you can download a .sit file, but later use Stuffit to decompress the file.
Save To File Opens a dialog box in which you choose where to save the file.
Browse Displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate the files and plug-ins on your system that you want to use to handle the file helper.

Cookies page

Server, Name, Enabled A cookie is a small piece of information that a Web server can store with your browser and later reads back so that the server can maintain personal settings for you. For example, a cookie might be used to store a customized view of a Web site or ensure that you never see the same advertisement twice.

This dialog box lists the cookies currently installed on your hard disk and their state (enabled or disabled). You can use the Enable/Disable Cookie button to change the state of a selected cookie. When a cookie is disabled, the Web site that installed the cookie will not be able to read information that it stored on your hard disk. You can also use the Delete button to remove a cookie from the list so that when you visit the site again, a new cookie will be installed.
Delete Uninstalls a selected cookie from your computer and removes it from the cookie list. To uninstall a cookie, select it from the list, and then click Delete. Remember that the next time you visit the site whose cookie you uninstalled, a new cookie will be downloaded to your computer again.
View Opens the Cookie Viewer dialog box, in which you can view the values of a cookie.

To view information about a cookie, select the cookie from the list and then click View.
Disable/Enable Cookie Changes the state of a selected cookie. The button will reflect the option available for the selected cookie. For example, if the selected cookie is disabled, the button will change to Enable Cookie. When a cookie is disabled, the Web site that installed the cookie will not be able to read information that it stored on your hard disk. To change the state of a cookie, select it from the list and then click Disable/Enable Cookie.
When Receiving Cookies Provides the browser with instructions on what to do when a Web site attempts to install a cookie. Choose an option from the menu:

Never Ask Specifies that when a Web site attempts to install cookies, you will not be given the option to accept or decline them. Cookies will always be accepted. The cookies will be enabled until they expire or you disable them manually.
Ask For Each Site Specifies that when a Web site attempts to install cookies, you will be given the option of collectively accepting or declining all cookies sent by that site. You will not be given the option when subsequent cookies are sent by the same Web site. If accepted, the cookies will be enabled until they expire or you manually disable them. If declined, the cookies will not be installed.
Ask for Each Cookie Specifies that when a Web site attempts to install a cookie, you will be given the option of accepting or declining each and every cookie sent. If accepted, the cookies will be enabled until they expire or you manually disable them.
Never Accept Specifies that when a Web site attempts to install cookies, you will not be given the option of accepting or declining them. They will never be installed on your computer.

Protocol Helpers page

Protocol Helpers settings
Protocol/Application Lists the protocol associated with an application. You can use the Add, Change, or Delete buttons to change the settings.
Add Opens the Protocol Helper Editor dialog box, in which you can add a new protocol. For more information, see the Protocol Helper Editor dialog box.
Change Opens the Protocol Helper Editor dialog box in which you can change the application associated with a protocol. For more information, see the Protocol Helper Editor dialog box.
Delete Removes a selected protocol.

To remove a protocol helper, select it from the list, and then click Delete.
Protocol Helper Editor dialog box (opens when you click the Change or Add buttons)
Helper For Provides a space for you to type the application to which this helper belongs.
Choose Helper Opens the Open dialog box, in which you can choose the helper you want to use for the application selected application.
Use Current Application If Possible Specifies whether you want the application in use to be used instead of the assigned helper. For example, suppose you assign Fetch as your FTP (File Transfer Protocol) helper and have selected the Use Current Application If Possible check box. When you click an FTP link in Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer will be used to download the file, not Fetch.

Proxies page

Enabled/Disabled A proxy server acts as a security barrier between your internal network (intranet) and the Internet. It prevents Internet users from gaining access to confidential information on your internal network. You will need to contact your network administrator for specific information about your proxy server settings.

If you want to use the proxy servers defined on this page to connect to the Internet, click Enabled.
Protocol Specifies the protocol of the proxy server. Choose one from the menu.
Method Specifies the method of the proxy server. Choose one from the menu.
Address and Port Specifies the address for the proxy server. Type the address and port in their respective boxes, but do not add "http://".
User Name Provides a space for you to type your user name.
Password Provides space for you to type your proxy server password.
Use Proxy For Local Servers check box Specifies whether you want to use the proxy server to access internal servers.
Direct connections text box Provides a space for you to type the address for sites that you can connect to directly, bypassing the proxy server.

Site Passwords page

Site/User Name Maintains a list of the user names and passwords you have typed to view Web sites.
Change Opens the Site Password Editor dialog box, in which you can change the user name, or password for a site. For more information, see the Site Password Editor dialog box.
Delete Removes a password setting from your computer. Once you have removed a password setting, the next time you visit the site, you will have to provide a new user name and password. To remove a password setting, select it from the list, and then click Delete.
Site Password Editor dialog box (opens when you click the Change button)
Server  Name Displays the server where the user name and password is sent.
Scheme Displays the scheme, which is the way in which this information is communicated to the server.
Realm Displays the authentication scheme, also known as the Domain or Account, which is usually provided by the server.
User Name Provides a space for you to type the user name you want to use when you visit the site.
Password Provides a space for you to type the password to be used when you visit the site. The actual characters you type will be replaced with solid circles for added security.