Applies to these editions of Windows Vista

Starter

Home Premium

Ultimate

Enterprise

Change Internet Explorer Programs settings

This information applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8.

By using Internet Explorer's Programs settings, you can change your default web browser and webpage editor, and manage Internet Explorer add-ons.

Show all

How do I find Internet Explorer's Programs settings?

To find Internet Explorer Programs settings

  1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Internet Explorer.

  2. Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.

  3. Click the Programs tab.

What does the HTML editing setting do?

This option allows you to choose which program will be used to edit HTML files. By default it will be Windows Notepad, but you can change it to any other text or HTML editor, such as Microsoft FrontPage.

What do the default web browser settings do?

The default web browser settings allow you to specify which web browser will be used to open websites when you click a web link in a program or in a document. By default, Internet Explorer will be used.

What does Manage Add-ons do?

It allows you to view, enable, or disable the add-ons on your computer. Add-ons include things such as ActiveX controls, Browser Helper Objects (BHOs), and specialized toolbars. For more information about add-ons, see Internet Explorer add-ons: frequently asked questions or How do browser add-ons affect my computer?

How do I set my preferred Internet programs?

In Windows, you now set default programs for e‑mail, instant messaging, and other Internet related activities through Default Programs which is located on the Windows Start menu. For information about setting your default programs, see Change which programs Windows uses by default.