Exploring the Internet

With Internet Explorer and an Internet connection, you can find and view information about almost anything on the Web. If you learn just a few basic things about browsing the Web, such as how to use the buttons on the Internet Explorer toolbar, you will find that browsing the Web is quick and easy.



Connecting to the Internet

To make an Internet connection

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then double-click Network Connections.
  2. Under Network Tasks, click Create a new connection, and then click Next.
  3. Click Connect to the Internet, and then click Next.
  4. Select one of the following:

  • If you already have an account with an Internet service provider (ISP), click Set up my connection manually, and then click Next.
  • If you are connecting to your ISP using a modem, click Connect using a dial-up modem, click Next, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.
  • If you have a CD from an ISP, click Use the CD I got from an ISP, click Next, and then click Finish. Insert the CD provided by your ISP and follow the instructions.
  • If your DSL or cable modem ISP connection requires a user name and password, click Connect using a broadband connection that requires a user name and password, click Next, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.
  • If your DSL or cable modem ISP connection is always on and does not require you to type a user name and password, click Connect using a broadband connection that is always on, click Next, and then click Finish.

To open Internet Explorer

  • Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.

To open a Web page

  • In Internet Explorer, type the Internet address—for example, www.microsoft.com— in the Address bar, and then click the Go button.

Finding Web pages

To search the Internet

  1. Click Start, and then click Search.
  2. Click Search the Internet.
  3. Type a phrase or sentence describing the information you want to find, and then click Search.
  4. In the list of search results, click a link to display the Web page.

To search the Internet from the Address bar

  • In Internet Explorer, type common names or words in the Address bar. Internet Explorer automatically takes you to the site that best matches what you are searching for and lists other likely sites as well.

To open one of your Favorites pages

  • In Internet Explorer, click the Favorites menu, and then click the page you want to open.

To find a page that you just visited

  • In Internet Explorer, click the Back button on the toolbar.
  • To view one of the last nine pages you visited in this session, click the arrow to the side of the Back or Forward button, and then click the page you want from the list.

To find a Web site you visited in the last few days

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the History button on the toolbar.
  2. The History bar appears, containing links for Web sites and pages visited in previous days and weeks.
  3. In the History bar, click a week or day, click a Web site folder to display individual pages, and then click the page icon to display the Web page.
  4. To sort or search the History bar, click the arrow next to the View button at the top of the History bar.

To view a Web page that is not working

  • If you get a message that a Web page cannot be displayed, make sure that you entered the URL (Web site address) correctly, and make sure you are connected to the Internet.
  • To make sure you have the latest version of the page, click the Refresh button.

To save a Web page on your computer

You can save entire Web pages and print Web pages for future reference or to share with other people who do not have access to the Web or a computer.

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the File menu, and then click Save As.
  2. Double-click the folder you want to save the page in.
  3. In the File name box, type a name for the page.
  4. In the Save as type box, select a file type.
  5. Do one of the following:

  • To save all of the files needed to display this page (including graphics, frames, and style sheets), click Web Page, complete. This option saves each file in its original format.
  • To save just the current HTML page, click Web Page, HTML only. This option saves the information on the Web page, but it does not save the graphics, sounds, or other files.
  • To save just the text from the current Web page, click Text Only. This option saves the information on the Web page in plain text without any formatting.

To use pictures or text from a Web page

You can save any element found on a Web page, including text, graphics, or links.

To do this Do this
Copy information from a Web page into a document Select the information you want to copy, and then on the Edit menu, click Copy.
Create a desktop shortcut to the current page Right-click in the page, and then click Create Shortcut.
Use a Web page image as desktop wallpaper (or background) Right-click the image on the Web page, and then click Set as Wallpaper or Set as Background.
Send a Web page in e-mail On the File menu, point to Send, and then click Page by E-mail or Link by E-mail. Complete the mail message window, and then send the message. Note that you must have an e-mail account and an e-mail program set up on your computer.

To print a Web page

  1. In Internet Explorer, on the File menu, click Print.
  2. Set the printing options you want, and then click Print.

Configuring Internet Explorer

To set or change your home page

Your home page is the Web page that appears every time you open Internet Explorer.

  1. In Internet Explorer, go to the Web page you want to appear when you start Internet Explorer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  3. Select the General tab.
  4. Under Home page, click Use Current, and then click OK.

To add a page to your Favorites list

  1. In Internet Explorer, go to the Web page that you want to add to your Favorites list.
  2. On the Favorites menu, click Add to Favorites.
  3. Type a new name for the page if you want to.

To set up AutoComplete to enter Web addresses more easily

The AutoComplete feature saves previous entries you have made for Web addresses, forms, and passwords. Then, when you type information in one of these fields, AutoComplete suggests possible matches.

  1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  2. Select the Content tab.
  3. Under Personal information, click AutoComplete.
  4. Select the check boxes for the AutoComplete options you want to use, and then click OK.

To display Web page text in a different font

  1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  2. On the General tab, click Fonts.
  3. In the Web page font and Plain text font lists, click the fonts you want, and then click OK.

To specify fonts and colors to always use for Web pages

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
  2. On the General tab, click Accessibility.
  3. Change the settings as needed, and then click OK.

To change the size of Web page text

  • In Internet Explorer, click the View menu, point to Text Size, and then click the size you want.

To set a security level for each zone

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
  2. Select the Security tab and click the zone that you want to set the security level for.
  3. Under Security level for the zone, select Default Level to use the default security level for the zone, or click Custom Level, and then select the settings you want, and then click OK.

To change your privacy settings

  1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  2. On the Privacy tab, move the slider up or down for a new level of privacy, and then click OK.