Using Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer—also known as IE—is the default web browser in Windows 8. While IE offers many of the same features you would expect to find in any browser, the simplified interface may be a little confusing at first. In this lesson, you'll learn how to use the address bar, open and move between tabs, and save your favorite websites for quick access. We'll also talk about how to clear your browsing history.

Windows 8 comes with two versions of IE, with an app for both the Start screen and the Desktop. This lesson will focus on the Start screen app. The Desktop version of IE offers a more traditional web browsing experience, as well as advanced options for bookmarking and privacy. Check out our lesson on Getting Started with the Desktop to learn more about using Desktop apps.

Getting started with IE:

• To open IE, locate and select Internet Explorer on the Start screen. IE will appear.

  
  

  Opening IE

Click the buttons in the interactive below to become more familiar with the IE interface.

The address bar

The Internet Explorer address bar allows you to navigate to websites and search the web. You'll find the address bar at the bottom of the screen. As you enter a search term or URL, the address bar will offer suggestions for webpages and search terms, which makes navigating the Web faster and easier.

To use the address bar:

• Navigating to a website: Type a URL in the address bar and press Enter on your keyboard.
  Typing in a URL
• Searching the Web: Type a search term in the address bar and press Enter.
  Entering a search term
• Suggestions: As you type in the address bar, suggestions will appear. You can click one to use a suggested address or search term.
  Selecting a suggestion

If you don't want the browser to suggest search terms as you type, click Turn off suggestions from Microsoft.

Tabs and windows

Internet Explorer allows you to open multiple websites using tabs. You can also open websites in a new window to view different sites side by side.

To open a new tab:

1. Select the New Tab button. Alternatively, press Ctrl+T on your keyboard. A new tab will appear.

   
   

   Selecting the New Tab button
2. Type a URL in the address bar and press Enter, or select a frequently visited site to navigate to a new page.
   Selecting a frequently visited site
3. The page will appear in the new tab.
   The new tab

To switch between tabs:

1. Select the desired tab.
   Selecting a tab
2. The tab will be selected.
   The newly selected tab

To close a tab:

• Select the Close tab button on the desired tab in the Tabs bar.
  Selecting the Close tab button

To view two windows side by side:

1. Open the desired websites as tabs.
2. Right-click a tab and then select Open tab in new window.
   Selecting Open tab in new window
3. The websites will appear side by side.
   Viewing websites side-by-side

To open a link in a new window:

1. Right-click the desired link, then select Open link in new window.
   Opening a link in a new window
2. The websites will appear side by side.

Favorites

If you find a website you'd like to visit later, you can add it to your favorites, which most browsers call bookmarks. You can also pin a site directly to the Start screen.

To add a favorite:

1. Navigate to the website you wish to favorite, then select the Favorites button.
   Accessing the Favorites toolbar
2. The Favorites toolbar will appear. Select the Add to favorites button.

   
   

   Selecting the Add to favorites button
3. A dialog box will appear. Click the drop-down menu to select a folder for the website, then click Add to save the site as a favorite.
   Clicking Add to save the favorite

You can also press Ctrl+D on your keyboard to add a site to your favorites.

To pin a website:

When you pin a website, Internet Explorer will create a shortcut for it, which will appear on your Start screen. Unlike favorites, pinned websites don't require you to navigate to the browser to view them.

1. Navigate to the website you wish to pin. Select the Favorites button, then select the Pin site button.
   Selecting the Pin Site button
2. A dialog box will appear. Select Pin to Start.
   Clicking Pin to Start
3. The website will be pinned to the Start screen.
   The pinned website

Privacy and security

Like all browsers, IE keeps a browsing history for the websites you visit. You may want to clear your browsing history periodically for the sake of privacy.

To delete browsing history:

1. Hover the mouse in the lower-right corner to access the Charms bar, then select Settings.
   Selecting Settings
2. The Settings pane will appear on the right. Select Options.
   Selecting Options
3. The Internet Explorer settings will appear. Locate and click the Select button under History.
   Clicking the Select button
4. A dialog box will appear. Select the browsing data you want to delete, then click Delete.
   Deleting browsing history