The Internet is a global collection of more than a billion computers (and growing) linked together to share information. The Internet’s physical structure includes telephone lines, cables, satellites, and other telecommunications media. Using the Internet, computer users can share many types of information, including text, graphics, sounds, videos, and computer programs. The World Wide Web (also known as the Web) is a part of the Internet that consists of Web sites located on different computers around the world.

The Internet has its roots in the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), which the United States Department of Defense started in 1969. In 1986, the National Science Foundation formed NSFNET, which replaced ARPANET. NSFNET expanded the foundation of the U.S. portion of the Internet with high-speed, long-distance data lines. In 1991, the U.S. Congress expanded the capacity and speed of the Internet further and opened it to commercial use. The Internet is now accessible in almost every country in the world. The Web was developed in Switzerland in 1991 to make finding documents on the Internet easier. Software programs designed to access the Web, known as Web browsers, use point-and-click interfaces. The first such Web browser, Mosaic, was introduced at the University of Illinois in 1993. Since the release of Mosaic, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Fire Fox have become two popular Web browsers.

A Web site contains Web pages linked together to make searching for information on the Internet easier. Web pages are documents that contain highlighted words, phrases, and graphics, called hyperlinks (or simply links) that open other Web pages when you click them. Some Web pages contain frames. A frame is a separate window within a Web page that lets you see more than one Web page at a time. Web browsers are software programs that you use to “browse the Web,” or access and display Web pages. Browsers make the Web easy to navigate by providing a graphical, point-and-click environment. Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 is a popular browser from Microsoft that is built-in to Windows Vista. With a Web browser, you can display Web pages from all over the world, display Web content on the desktop, view Web feeds (New!), use links to move from one Web page to another, play audio and video clips, search the Web for information, make favorite Web pages available offline (when you’re not connected to the Internet), and print text and graphics on Web pages.

Universities and large companies are most likely connected to the Internet via high-speed wiring that transmits data very quickly. As the Internet continues to explode around the world, several high-speed connection options are becoming more available and affordable for business and home use: DSL (Digital Subscriber Lines), wires that provide a completely digital connection; and cable modems, which use cable television lines. DSL and cable modems, also known as broadband connections, are continually turned on and connected and use a network setup. If a broadband connection is not available, you need to establish a connection over a phone line using a dial-up modem. Data travels more slowly over phone lines than over digital lines and cable modems. Whether you use a phone line, a DSL line, or a cable modem, Windows can help you establish a connection between your computer and the Internet using the Connect to the Internet wizard. First, you need to select an ISP (Internet Service Provider), which is a company that sets up an Internet account for you and provides Internet access. ISPs maintain servers connected directly to the Internet 24 hours a day. You pay a fee, sometimes by the hour, but more often a flat monthly rate. To connect to the Internet, you need to obtain an Internet account and connection information from your ISP or your system administrator. For details, see “Creating an Internet Connection” on page 136. If you are working on a network, you can also share one Internet connection with everyone. For information on creating an Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), see “Sharing an Internet Connection” on page 378.

Sometimes connecting your computer to the Internet can be the most difficult part of getting started. The Connect to the Internet wizard simplifies the process, whether you want to set up a new connection using an existing account or select an Internet service provider (ISP) to set up a new account. In either case, you will need to obtain connection information from your ISP or your system administrator.

Create an Internet Connection

1. Click the Start button, click Connect To, click Set up a connection or network, click Connect to the Internet, and then click Next.

2. Click Set up a new a connection, or Set up a new connection anyway to set up a second connection.

3. Click the option with the way you want to connect: Wireless, Broadband (PPPoE), or Dial-up.

   • For a wireless connection, select a network, and then go to Step 8.

   

4. Type the name and password your ISP gave you. For a dial-up connection, type a dial-up phone number.

5. For the password, select or clear the Show characters or Remember this password check boxes.

6. Type a connection name.

7. Select or clear the Allow other people to use this connection check box.

8. Click Connect.

See Also

See “Connecting to a Wireless Network” on page 364 for information on wireless Internet connection.

WINV-1.1.1,

WINV-1.1.2

If your computer is directly connected to the Internet, you need Windows Firewall to protect your computer from unauthorized access from others on the Internet. Windows Firewall is enabled by default for all Internet and network connections. However, some computer manufacturers and network administrators might turn it off, so you need to check it. When Windows Firewall is enabled, you might not be able to use some communication features, such as sending files with a messaging program or playing an Internet game, unless the program is listed on the Exceptions tab in Windows Firewall. If you use multiple Internet and networking connections, you can use the Advanced tab to enable or disable individual connections.

Set Up Windows Firewall

1. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, double-click the Windows Firewall icon in Classic view.

2. In the left pane, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off, and then click the General tab.

   

   Important

   If you’re part of a network, options are grayed out.

3. Click the On (recommended) option.

4. To set maximum protection, select the Block all incoming connections check box or clear it to make exceptions.

5. To make program exceptions, click the Exceptions tab.

6. Select the check boxes with the exceptions you want; if necessary, click Add program to add it.

7. Click OK, and then click the Close button.

Did You Know?

You can restore Windows Firewall default settings. In Windows Firewall, click the Advanced tab, click Restore Defaults, and then click OK.

Internet Explorer is a Web browser that you use to search the Web. You can start Internet Explorer using the Start menu, the Internet Explorer icon on the desktop, or the button on the Quick Launch toolbar on the taskbar. After you start Internet Explorer, you might need to connect to the Internet by selecting a dial-up or broadband service and entering a user name and password. If you have problems running Internet Explorer—sudden shutdowns—due to add-on programs, you can start Internet Explorer with no add-ons (New!), and then turn off individual add-ons to determine the problem. The elements of the Internet Explorer window allow you to view, print, and search for information on the Internet. Once you establish a connection to the Internet, you are ready to explore Web pages on the Internet.

A Web address (also known as a URL, which stands for Uniform Resource Locator) is a unique place on the Internet where you can locate a Web page. With Internet Explorer, you can browse sites on the Web with ease by entering a Web address or by clicking a link. Each method is better at different times. For example, you might type an address in the Address bar to start your session. Then you might click a link on that Web page to access a new site. As you open Web sites, Internet Explorer creates separate tabs for each one, so you can view multiple Web sites in a single window. When you type an Internet address in the Address bar, Internet Explorer tries to find a recently visited page that matches what you’ve typed so far. If Internet Explorer finds a match, it fills in the rest of the address. You can also use AutoComplete to fill out forms on the Web, including single-line edits, and user names and passwords.

View a Web Page

Use any of the following methods to display a Web page:

1. In the Address bar, type the Web address, and then press Enter.

   If you have recently entered the Web page address, AutoComplete remembers it and tries to complete the address for you. The suggested match is highlighted. Click the correct address or continue to type until the address you want appears in the Address list.

2. Click any link on the Web page, such as a picture or colored, underlined text. The mouse pointer changes to a hand when it is over a link.

Did You Know?

You can have AutoComplete quickly complete a Web address. In the Address bar, type the name of the Web site, such as perspection, and then press Ctrl+Enter. AutoComplete adds the “www.” and “.com”.

As you open Web sites, Internet Explorer creates separate tabs (New!) for each one, so you can view multiple Web sites in a single window, which reduces the number of items on the taskbar. You can open Web pages on new tabs and quickly switch between them. If you prefer a visual way to switch between tabs, you can use Quick tabs (New!), which displays thumbnails, to open and close Web pages. The list arrow to the right of the Quick Tabs button displays a list of all open Web pages, and you can use it to open a Web page as an alternate method. After you have opened a set of tabs, you can save them as a group, so you can quickly view them again later.

Use Tabbed Browsing

Use any of the following methods to use tabbed browsing:

1. Open a new tab. Press Ctrl+click a link (in the background) or Ctrl+Shift+click a link (in the foreground). You can also click a link with the wheel or middle button to open a link.

   Timesaver

   Press Alt+Enter to open a new tab in the foreground from the Address bar.

2. Open a blank tab. Click the New Tab button, or press Ctrl+T.

3. Open or close Quick Tabs. Click the Quick Tabs button, or press Ctrl+Q. To open the Web page, click a thumbnail. To close a Web page, click the Close button in the corner of the thumbnail.

4. Switch between tabs. Click a tab, or press Ctrl+Tab.

5. Close a tab. Click the Close button on the tab, or press Ctrl+W. You can also click a tab with the wheel or middle button to close it.

6. Close Internet Explorer and save tabs. Close Internet Explorer, click Show Options, select the Open these the next time I use Internet Explorer check box, and then click Close Tabs.

Save a Group of Tabs

1. Click the Add to Favorites button, and then click Add Tab Group to Favorites.

2. Type a name for the group.

3. Click Add.

Open a Group of Tabs

1. Click the Favorites Center button.

2. Click the Favorites button.

3. Click the folder that you want to open.

4. Click the arrow to the right of the folder name.

Did You Know?

You can turn off tabs. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, click Internet Options, click the General tab, click Settings in the Tabs section, clear the Enable Tabbed Browsing check box, and then click OK.

You can display pop-ups in a window or tab. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, click Internet Options, click the General tab, click Settings in the Tabs section, specify the option you want in the When a pop-up is encountered section, and then click OK.

As you browse the Web or your local hard disk, you may want to retrace your steps and return to a Web page, document, or hard disk you’ve recently visited. You can move backward or forward one location at a time, or you can jump directly to any location from the Back list or Forward list, both of which show locations you’ve previously visited in this session. After you start to load a Web page, you can stop if the page opens too slowly or if you decide not to access it. If a Web page loads incorrectly or you want to update the information it contains, you can reload, or refresh, the page. If you get lost on the Web, you can start over with a single click of the Home button. You can also resize your toolbars so you can see more of the Web address or Links bar.

Working with the Zoom tools (New!) gives you one more way to control exactly what you see in a Web page. Unlike changing text size in previous versions of Internet Explorer, the Zoom tools allow you to enlarge or reduce everything on the page, including text and images. You can adjust the zoom from 10% to 1000%. The Zoom tools are located in the bottom-right corner of the window or available on the Zoom submenu on the Page button. If you have a mouse with a wheel, hold down the Ctrl key, and then scroll the wheel to zoom in or out.

Change the View

1. Use any of the following zoom options available on the Status bar (New!):

   • Zoom In or Out. Click the Change Zoom Level button arrow on the Status bar, and then click a zoom percentage.

     Timesaver

     Press Ctrl+(+) to zoom in by increments of 10%, or press Ctrl+(-) to zoom out by increments of 10%. Press Ctrl+0 to restore the zoom to 100%.

   • Zoom Level. Click the Change Zoom Level button on the Status bar to cycle through 100%, 125%, and 150%.

   • Zoom Custom. Click the Change Zoom Level button arrow on the Status bar, click Custom, type a zoom value, and then click OK.

2. To change the view to full screen, click the Tools button, and then click Full Screen. To change back, press F11.

Did You Know?

You can change Web page text size to make it easier to read. Click the Page button, click Text Size, and then click the size you want. When you change the text size, graphics and controls remain unchanged, so you can focus on the text.

Your home page in Internet Explorer is the page that opens when you start the program. When you first install Internet Explorer, the default home page is the Microsoft Network (MSN) Web site. If you want a different page to appear when you start Internet Explorer and whenever you click the Home button, you can change your home page. With the introduction of tabbed browsing, you can display multiple home pages in tab sets (New!). You can choose one of the millions of Web pages available through the Internet, or you can select a particular file on your hard drive.

The Links bar, located below the Address bar when displayed, provides one-click access to Web pages and favorites. You can add or remove buttons on the Links bar to customize it to meet your needs. The Links bar is also available on the Taskbar (New!) when you are not using Internet Explorer.

Display and Hide the Links Bar

1. Click the Tools button, and then point to Toolbars.

2. Click Links.

Did You Know?

You can add a favorite to the Links bar. Click the Favorites Center button, and then drag a favorite shortcut to a new location in the Links folder.

Add a Link Button to the Links Bar

1. Open the Web page or display the folder you want to add to the Links bar.

2. Drag the Web page in the Address bar to the Links bar.

3. Release the mouse button to position the new item.

Did You Know?

You can quickly remove a link button from the Links bar. Right-click the button you want to delete, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm.

Rather than memorizing URLs or keeping a handwritten list of Web pages you want to visit, you can use the Favorites Center (New!) to store and organize the addresses. When you display a Web page that you want to display again at a later time, you can add the Web page to your the Favorites Center; you can also manage feeds and history. Once you add the Web page to the Favorites Center, you can quickly return to the page. To open all the favorites in a folder at the same time, click the blue arrow to the right of the folder (New!). If your list of favorites grows long, you can delete favorites you don’t visit anymore or move favorites into folders.

Create a Favorites List

1. Open the Web site you want to add to your Favorites list.

2. Click the Add to Favorites button, and then click Add to Favorites.

3. Type the name for the site, or use the default name supplied.

4. Click Create In arrow, and then select a location on the Favorites menu to place the site.

5. If you want to create a new folder, click New Folder, type a folder name, and then click OK.

6. Click Add.

   Use the Favorites Center button to quickly return to a favorite location.

Did You Know?

You can pin the Favorites Center. When you open the Favorites Center, the pane is not locked into place. You can click off the pane to close it. To lock the pane, click the Pin the Favorites Center button (green arrow) to the right of the History button.

You can import favorites from another browser. Click the Add to Favorites button, click Import and Export, and then follow the steps in the Import/Export wizard.

Access Favorites

1. Click the Favorites Center button.

   The Favorites Center pane appears, displaying your current favorites list, like a menu. The pane is not pinned to the window.

2. To pin the pane to the window, click the Pin the Favorites Center button (green arrow).

   When the pane is pinned, the Close button appears on the pane.

3. Click a folder, if necessary.

4. To open all the favorites in a folder at the same time, click the blue arrow to the right of the folder.

5. Click the page you want.

6. Click off the pane or click the Close button.

Organize Favorites

1. Click the Add to Favorites button, and then click Organize Favorites.

2. Select one or more favorites from the list you want to work with.

3. Do any of the following:

   • New Folder. Click New Folder, type the new folder name, and then press Enter.

   • Move. Click Move, select a folder, and then click OK.

   • Rename. Click Rename, type a new name, and then press Enter.

   • Delete. Click Delete, and then click Yes.

4. When you’re done, click the Close button.

Sometimes you run across a great Web site and simply forget to add it to your Favorites list. With Internet Explorer there’s no need to try to remember all the sites you visit. The History feature keeps track of where you’ve been by date, site, most visited, or order visited today. To view the History list, click the History button in the Favorites Center, and then click a day or week in the pane to expand the list of Web sites visited. Because the History list can grow to occupy a large amount of space on your hard drive, it’s important to control the length of time you retain Web sites in the list. Internet Explorer deletes the History list periodically, based on the settings you specify.

View and Change the History List

1. Click the Favorites Center button on the toolbar.

2. Click the History button.

3. To change the history view, click the History button arrow, and then select the view option you want.

4. If view By Date, click a week or day to expand or compress the list of Web sites visited.

5. If necessary, click the folder for the Web site you want to view, and then click a page within the Web site.

6. Click off the pane or click the Close button.

Clear the History List

1. Click the Tools button, and then click Delete Browsing History.

   1. You can also open this dialog by clicking Delete on the General tab in the Internet Options dialog box.

2. Click Delete History, and then click Yes to confirm the operation.

3. Click Close.

A feed (New!) delivers frequently updated Web content to your browser on a continuous basis. A feed, also known as RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed, XML feed, syndicated content, or Web feed, is usually offered on a subscription basis and typically free of charge. A feed can deliver text content in the form of news headlines or blogs, or digital content in the form of pictures, audio, and video. When audio content is delivered usually in the MP3 format, it’s referred to as a podcast. When you visit a Web site, Internet Explorer checks for available feeds. If it discovers a feed, the Feeds button changes color and plays a sound. You can view an individual feed or subscribe to one to get content automatically. When you subscribe to a feed, Internet Explorer checks the Web site and downloads new content so you always stay updated with the latest site content. Internet Explorer manages a common feeds list, which allows other programs, such as Windows Sidebar or e-mail, to use them.

View and Subscribe to a Feed

1. Visit a Web site with a feed.

   The Feeds button changes color and plays a sound.

   Timesaver

   You can also press Alt+J to check for feeds.

2. Click the Feeds button.

   If multiple feeds are available, a list of feeds appears.

3. If available, click the feed you want to see.

   A Web page opens, displaying a lists of topics, articles, and other elements you can read and subscribe to.

4. Click the Subscribe to this Feed button, and then click Subscribe to this Feed, if necessary.

5. Type a name for the feed, and then select a folder location for the feed.

6. Click Subscribe.

View Subscribed Feeds

1. Click the Favorites Center button.

2. Click Feeds.

3. If needed, click a folder to display related feeds.

4. Click the feed to visit the Web site for the feed.

5. Click off the pane or click the Close button.

Did You Know?

What formats are feeds available in? The most common formats are RSS and Atom. All Web feed formats are based on XML. XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a platform-independent universal language that enables you to create documents in which data is stored independently of the format so you can use the data more seamlessly in other forms. XML is a markup language just like HTML. You mark up a document to define the structure, meaning, and visual appearance of the information in the document.

You can change feed settings. Click the Tools button, click Internet Options, click the Content tab, click Settings in the Feeds section, specify the options you want, and then click OK twice.

You can find all kinds of information on the Web using the Instant Search box (New!) from the Address bar. The best way to find information is to use a search engine. A search engine is a program you access through a Web site and use to search through a collection of Internet information to find what you want. Many search engines are available on the Web, such as Windows Live Search, Lycos, Google, AOL, and Yahoo. When performing a search, the search engine compares keywords with words that if finds on various Internet Web sites. Keywords are words or phrases that best describe the information you want to retrieve. If the search engine finds your keywords in the stored database, it lists the matched sites on a Web page. These matched sites are sometimes called hits. The company that manages the search engine determines what information its database stores, so search results of different search engines vary.

Search the Web

1. Click in the Search box.

   Timesaver

   Press Ctrl+E to go to the Search box without using the mouse.

2. To use a specific search provider for this session only, click the Search box arrow, and then click the provider you want.

3. Type the information you want to find. Use specific words, eliminate common words, such as “a” or “the”, and use quotation marks for specific phrases.

   

4. Press Enter or press Alt+Enter to display the search results in a new tab.

Did You Know?

You can use the Address bar to search for information. In the Address bar, type go, find, or ? followed by a space and a word or phrase, and then press Enter. To turn off or change Address bar searches, click the Tools button, click Internet Options, click the Advanced tab, select options under Search from the Address bar, and then click OK.

Change Search Providers

1. Click the Search box arrow, and then click Change Search Defaults.

   1. To add more search providers, click the Search box arrow, click Find More Providers, and then follow the Web site instructions.

   

2. Click the search provider you want to set as the default.

3. Click the button with the option you want to perform:

   1. To set as the default provider, click Set Default.

   2. To remove a provider, click Remove.

4. Click OK.

Did You Know?

You can add search providers discovered on Web pages. Some Web pages offer search providers (New!). If one does, click the Search box arrow, click Add Search Providers to open a list of providers discovered by Internet Explorer, and then follow the instructions. A discovered search provider is marked with a gold star on the Search box menu.

You can start an Internet search from the Start menu. Click the Start button, click in the Search box, type search criteria, click Search the Internet, and then perform the search (New!).

You can find specific text on a Web page. Click the Search box arrow, click Find (On This Page), type the text you want to find, select find options, and then click Find Next.

Web pages are designed for viewing on a computer screen, but you can also print all or part of one. Before you print, you should verify that the page looks the way you want. You save time, money, and paper by avoiding duplicate or wasteful printing. Printing now scales Web pages to fit the paper you’re using. Print Preview shows you exactly how the Web page will look on the printed page, and gives you more control over margins and scaling (New!). This is especially helpful when you have multiple pages to print. When you are ready to print, Internet Explorer provides many options for printing Web pages. For Web pages with frames, you can print the page just as you see it, or you can elect to print a particular frame or all frames. You can even use special Page Setup options to include the date, time, or window title on the printed page. You can also choose to print the Web addresses from the links contained on a Web page.

Preview a Web Page

1. Click the Print button arrow, and then click Print Preview.

2. Use the Print Preview toolbar buttons to preview or print the Web page:

   • Print the document.

   • Portrait or Landscape. (New!)

   • Page Setup. Opens the Page Setup dialog box.

   • Turn headers and footers on and off. (New!)

   • View Full Width or View Full Page.

   • Show Multiple Pages.

   • Change the Print Size.

3. Use options at the bottom of the Print Preview to specify the page to display or switch between pages.

4. Drag a margin adjust handle to fine tune the page margins (New!).

5. When you’re done, click the Close button.

Print a Web Page

1. Click the Print button arrow, and then click Print.

   Timesaver

   To print the current page with the current print settings, click the Print button.

2. Click a printer.

3. Specify the range of pages you want to print.

4. Specify the number of copies you want to print.

5. Click the Options tab.

6. If the page contains frames, select the print frames option you want.

7. Select or clear the Print all linked documents and Print table of links check boxes.

8. Click Print.

See Also

See Chapter 14 “Printing and Faxing” on page 397 for information on installing and using a printer.

See “Previewing and Printing a Document” on page 37 for more information on using the Preview window and the Print dialog box.

Setting Up the Page Format

When you print a Web page, you can use the Page Setup dialog box to control the printing of text and graphics on a page. To open the Page Setup dialog box, click the Print button arrow, and then click Page Setup. The Page Setup dialog box specifies the printer properties for page size, orientation, and paper source; in most cases, you won’t want to change them. From the Page Setup dialog box, you can also change header and footer information. In the Headers and Footers text boxes, you can type text to appear as a header and footer of a Web page you print. In these text boxes, you can also use variables to substitute information about the current page, and you can combine text and codes. For example, if you type Page &p of &P in the Header text box, the current page number and the total number of pages print at the top of each printed page. Check Internet Explorer Help for a complete list of header and footer codes.

If you find information on a Web page that you want to save for future reference or share with others, you can copy and paste it to another document or save it on your computer. When you copy information from a Web page, make sure you’re not violating any copyright laws.

Save a Picture from a Web Page

1. Open the Web page with the picture you want to save.

2. Point to the picture you want to save to display a toolbar on the graphic, and then click the Save button.

   If the toolbar doesn’t appear, right-click the picture, and then click Save Picture As.

   

3. Select the drive and folder in which you want to save the file.

4. Type a name for the file, or use the suggested name.

5. To change the format of a file, click the Save as type arrow, and then click a file format.

6. Click Save.

Did You Know?

You can save a page or picture without opening it. Right-click the link for the item you want to save, and then click Save Target As.

Set a Picture from a Web Page as the Background Picture

1. Open the Web page with the picture you want to use.

2. Right-click the picture, and then click Set As Wallpaper or Set As Background.

There are thousands of sites on the Internet offering all sorts of files you can download to your computer, from trailers to the latest game demos. You can download files from any Web site by finding the file you want, right-clicking the link, and telling Internet Explorer where you want to save the file. Some Web sites are designed with specific links to make it easier to download files. When you click a download link, a Security Warning dialog box opens, asking you to run or don’t run the file from the Internet or save the file to your computer. Internet Explorer checks to see whether there are any irregularities with the file or a potential for harm based on the file type, and provides strong warning and guidance to help you understand more about the file you are downloading.

Download a File from a Web Page

1. Open the Web page from which you want to download a file.

2. Click the download link, and then click Save, or right-click the link pointing to the actual file, and then click Save Target As.

   

3. Select the folder in which you want to save the file.

4. Type a name for the file, or use the suggested name.

5. Click Save.

   The File Download dialog box displays the estimated time to download the file, along with the estimated transfer time.

6. When the download is complete, click Open or Run to open or run the file, or click Close.

Did You Know?

You can access a site with lots of files to download. Try these sites to find plenty of files to download: http://www.download.com and http://www.shareware.com. Just beware of viruses which can come from downloaded files off the Internet.

Sometimes you’ll need to connect directly to a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site to download or transfer a file to a remote computer. Internet Explorer allows you to easily access and download files from any FTP site, public or private. Public FTP sites allow you to access files without requiring that you have an account on the server. Private FTP sites expect you to enter your user name and password in order to see the folders and files. When you are connected to an FTP site, Internet Explorer’s view of the files is the same as looking at a folder on your local hard disk. Within this view you can drag onto your desktop or right-click to copy the file in a particular folder on your computer.

You can save a Web page you want to view offline even if you don’t need to share it with others or update its content, such as a published article whose content will not change. There are several ways you can save the Web page, from saving just the text to saving all of the graphics and text needed to display that page as it appears on the Web. When you save a complete Web page, Internet Explorer saves all the graphic and text elements in a folder. If you need to send a Web page to a friend or co-worker, you can save all the elements of the Web page in a single file to make the process easier.

Save a Web Page

1. Open the Web page you want to save.

2. Click the Page button arrow, and then click Save As.

   

3. Select the drive and folder in which you want to save the file.

4. Type a name for the file, or use the suggested name.

5. Click the Save as type arrow, and then click one of the following:

   • Web Page, complete to save the formatted text and layout with all the linked information, such as pictures, in a folder.

   • Web Archive, single file to save all the elements of the Web page in a single file.

   • Web Page, HTML only to save the formatted text and layout without the linked information.

   • Text File to save only the text.

6. Click Save.

See Also

See “Saving and Closing a Document” on page 38 for more information on using the Save As dialog box.

If you come across a Web page that you want to share with a friend or co-worker, you can send the page or a link to the page directly from Internet Explorer using your default E-mail program. When you use the Send Page by E-mail and Send Link by E-mail commands on the Page button, Internet Explorer automatically opens your default E-mail program and creates a new message with the Web page or link.

Windows Vista comes with Internet Explorer as the default Web browser. If you prefer to use another browser, you can remove Internet Explorer from your computer using the Programs and Features utility in the Control Panel, install another browser, and set it as your default Internet program on the left column of the Start menu.