Quero Toolbar IE add-on

Usability

Open links in a new window or tab

To quickly open a link in a new window, hold down the Shift key while clicking on the link. For a new tab hold down the Ctrl key instead. By the way, these shorctus work also in Quero. Try it out!

Open desktop hyperlinks or links in emails in a new window

A very annoying default setting of IE is that it launches hyperlinks in an arbitrary already opened IE window instead of spawning a new one. To change this setting go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced and uncheck "Reuse windows for launching shortcuts".

Sorting favorites alphabetically

Right-click on a favorite in the Favorites menu and select "Sort by name".

Keyboard Lover's Guide

See IE Quick Reference Guide

Turn on the Internet Explorer desktop icon (works also under Windows Vista)

Download and execute the following Registry file: Turn on special IE desktop icon (or turn it off). Refresh your desktop afterwards (right-click on your desktop, select Refresh).

Move all toolbars to one line

If you have a small display and want to utilize more screen space for the Web page, you can disable the tab and command bar.

Security

Configuring Internet Explorer to block access to all but approved sites

An administrator can use IE's Content Advisor system to restrict Web access on that computer to a list of approved sites. The configuration steps are described in this support article.

Unblock active content stored on My Computer

Since IE6 xpsp2 (service pack 2) active content (e.g. ActiveX controls) stored on your computer is blocked by default. If you are a Web developer and want to view your Web pages locally, go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced and check "Allow active content to run in files on My Computer".

Forcing a download dialog box for certain file types

For some file types (e.g. PDF) IE is configured to automatically launch an external application or open the file inside the browser. If you rather want IE to display a download dialog before opening the file automatically, you have to edit the file type association. Open a file explorer window and select Tools > Folder Options > File Types. Select the desired file type, click on Advanced and check "Confirm open after download".

Privacy

Blocking third-party cookies

Here is how you can restrict other sites than the one you are currently viewing from tracking your online activity. Go to Internet Options > Privacy > Advanced. Enable "Override automatic cookie handling" and choose to block third-party cookies. By default third-party cookies are not always blocked.

Performance

Increasing maximum HTTP connections per server

The HTTP standard [rfc2616] recommends a limit of 2 simultaneous connections per server. However, IE allows to tune this setting by adding two registry keys. This can be useful if you want to be able to simultaneously download files from a Web site and continue browsing that site.

Web publishing

Learning more about IE's Quirks and Standard mode

Wondering when IE is actually using Standards-compliant mode? I recommend the MSDN documentation on the DOCTYPE Switch.

Avoiding ActiveX activation

Due to a patent dispute between Microsoft and Eolas Technologies users had to activate Flash animations, video clips or Java applets with an unnecessary extra click between April 2006 and April 2008. Fortunately, there were workarounds for Web publishers available to avoid the activation in the affected IE versions. Detailed information about possible workarounds is provided in the MSDN article Activating ActiveX Controls.

Advanced settings

Changing IE's user-agent string

To change IE's user-agent string (the browser identification string that is sent along every HTTP request) you have to edit some values in the Windows registry under the key [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent\]. You can also edit the user-agent string with the Quero Toolbar or Quero Launcher. For more information, see Understanding User-Agent Strings.

Changing the default view source editor

If you want to view the HTML source of a Web page in another editor than notepad, create (or edit if already existing) the Windows registry key [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\View Source Editor\Editor Name\]. Modify the "(Default)" value to make it point towards any program on your computer.

Troubleshooting

Making Internet Explorer your default browser

Open Tools > Internet Options > Programs, check "Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser". After restarting IE you will be asked to make IE your default browser.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings

If you have problems with IE you may try to clear all user data and reset all settings.

In IE6 open Tools > Internet Options and perform the following steps:

  1. General: delete cookies and files, clear history
  2. Security: Default level
  3. Privacy: Default
  4. Programs: Reset Web Settings
  5. Advanced: Restore Defaults

In IE7 or higher go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced and click on Reset.

Useful links

The official Internet Explorer home page
The official IE blog