Add Addons in Internet Explorer

Downloading new add-ons for the Internet Explorer web browser can, in most cases, be accomplished in a few steps. When experiencing difficulties with downloading, installing or running add-ons in Internet Explorer, updating to the latest version will solve most issues. Windows XP-based systems will need to have service-pack 3 installed in order to avoid commonly experienced issues with running the later versions of Internet Explorer. This article provides instructions on how to update Internet Explorer, and use the Internet Explorer Add-ons Gallery to locate and add add-ons, extensions and plug-ins.

Steps

Download and Install the Most Current Version of Internet Explorer

  1. Download the latest version of Internet Explorer to ensure optimum functionality and access to the latest web browser add-ons, plug-ins and extensions.
    • Perform an Internet search using the key words "Update Internet Explorer." The first link provided is usually Microsoft's Internet Explorer download page.
    • Click the first link at the top of the search results list to be directed to the download site for the latest version of Internet Explorer.
    • Use the pull-down menu box located in the center of the page to select the version of Windows installed on your computer.
    • Click the button labeled "Free Download" to download the installation file.
    • Click the Save button when prompted to save a copy of the installation file to the Downloads folder on your computer. The Internet Explorer Download file has been saved to the computer.
  2. Install the latest version of Internet Explorer. Once you have downloaded the newest version of Internet Explorer, you need to install it on your computer.
    • Locate the installer file icon in the downloads folder, double-click the icon, and click "Run" when prompted. Click "Run" again when prompted a second time. The installation wizard will open on the desktop.
    • Click "I Accept" to agree to the terms of use to begin the installation process, which may take a moment.
    • Click "Close" to exit the installation wizard when prompted. Internet Explorer has been updated.

Choose an Add-on from the Internet Explorer Gallery

  1. Access the Manage Add-ons dialog box. Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools tab in the menu bar. The Manage Add-ons dialog box will open on the desktop.
  2. Select an add-on.
    • Choose Manage Add-ons from the pull-down menu. Click the link labeled "Find more toolbars and extensions," located in the lower-left corner of the dialog box, to be redirected to the Internet Explorer Gallery's webpage.
    • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link labeled "Get Add-ons" to navigate to the Internet Explorer Gallery Add-ons webpage.
    • Select an add-on category from the list of options in the column or use the search engine to locate a particular add-on, extension or plug-in from the available options provided.

Install Add-ons from the Internet Explorer Add-on Gallery

  1. Click the icon for any add-on in the Gallery menu to be redirected to the download page for that add-on.
  2. Click the link labeled "Add to Internet Explorer" to begin the download process.
  3. Follow the instructions provided by the installer. The installation process will complete in a few moments, at which time you will be prompted to restart your Internet browser.

Tips

  • Ensure that service pack 3 is installed on your computer in order to resolve many commonly experienced issues related to installing and running add-ons on Windows XP-based systems.
  • Use Microsoft Fix-it to resolve most issues related to installing and running add-ons in Internet Explorer. Once installed, Fix-it runs a live scan of your system and often can identify the conflicts disrupting the functionality of a given add-on. Perform an Internet search using the key words "Microsoft Fix-it" to take advantage of this feature.

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