We’ve been taking a closer look at Internet Explorer lately. It’s been around for a long time, but as we’ve talked about, users still have a lot fo questions about it. Linda asks, “Hello can you please explain why I cannot see the Internet Explorer page on my computer screen like before I have it updated and downloaded but there is no indication that it is I.E just a little tab above the google browser I questioned the HP tech and could not really understand what he meant that it is not a browser. It always seems to be hidden somehow so I am never sure if I am on Google or I.E.”
Linda included a screenshot, which I’ve displayed below.
Linda, in this case, you are using both Internet Explorer and the Google search page. Internet Explorer is your browser. A browser is a program you use to visit websites. The Google page you’re own is a site where you can search for things. Are you perhaps talking about your homepage? It’s possible that previously you had another page besides Google set as your homepage. The default homepage for Internet Explorer is MSN.com. Perhaps that was your previous homepage? But you can switch back to it or to any page you like pretty easily.
In fact, we learned how to do it last week. Just click here for more.
One indication that Internet Explorer is open is found down on your taskbar. You see the little rectangle for Internet Explorer, that also has the name of the page you have open. The page is Google.
At the top, you can see what site you’re on in the address bar. Plus the tab shows you the page you’re visiting.
If you open up additional pages, you’ll see more tabs.
Internet Explorer is the browser and what it displays is whatever page you choose.
~ Cynthia
Cynthia: I think what Linda wants to know is how to find her Internet Explorer tab on her task bar, so she can just open her Internet Explorer page and go to any website she chooses. Some computers have Google trying to display first and it is confusing. If you want to go to a website of your choosing the only way you can avoid Google and its suggestions is to open the taskbar tab for internet explorer or click on start button in the bottom lefthand corner & choose “all programs” the click on Internet Explorer to open it.