Which Web browser do you use on your Windows PC? Mozilla Firefox 2.0? (Good for you.) Or have you stayed with Microsoft’s built-in Internet Explorer (IE)? If you use IE with Windows XP, have you upgraded yet to Internet Explorer version 7?
Internet Explorer 7 first became available through automatic Windows Updates in November of 2006. If you already have it, you probably noticed the upgrade because the look and feel, the “user interface” of the program changed from earlier versions. For example, the menu bar disappeared and the buttons all moved to a new row of tabs.
If you have not upgraded yet, most experts agree you should do so, because of the enhanced security version 7 adds to Web browsing. Here are a few notes to help you make the change:
- This Microsoft Web site has explanations of new features, and a useful 5-minute tour.
- There’s a Quick Reference card available.
- If you really miss the menu bar, you can turn it back on: Look for the new Tools button toward the right and choose Menu Bar from the dropdown menu.
- If you just can’t live with IE7, you can usually uninstall it successfully, if you find it listed in Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs. However, every time you visit Microsoft Update or Windows Update, you will be offered IE7 again. So it’s not “if” you upgrade, but “when”.
–Sande Nissen is PC and Netware systems administrator at Carleton.