Configuring IE 10 Desktop

The configuration of the desktop version of Internet Explorer hasn’t changed much over the years because it mostly still occurs through Internet Options, which is still accessible via Control Panel (try Start Screen Search) or from within IE itself via Tools, Internet Options. Either way, you’ll see a window like the one in Figure 7‑29.

Figure 7‑29: Internet Options

NOTE

For some reason, this window is titled Internet Properties when you launch it from Control Panel and Internet Options when you do so from IE. Ah, Microsoft, thy name is consistency.

Since we’re all adults here, we won’t step through every single option in this complex and multi‑tabbed window. But there are some new and/or important options that every IE user should at least be made aware of:

• Better browsing history deletion: While the Metro version of Internet Explorer 10 lets you delete temporary files, history, cookies, and saved passwords in one fell swoop only, the desktop version features a far more granular control in which you can choose which of the following to delete: temporary files, cookies, history, download history, form data, passwords, and more. It’s far more powerful and useful. (Where: General tab, Browsing history, Delete.)

• Tab options: The desktop IE version offers a bewildering array of options related to tabs. (Where: General tab, Tabs, Tabs.)

If you deselect the Open Internet Explorer tiles on the desktop option, the IE tile on the Start screen will utilize the IE Metro icon but, when clicked, will open IE desktop.

• Which version of IE to use: If Internet Explorer is configured as the default browser–a feature we examine in a moment–you can choose which of the two IE 10 browsers to use for opening links in other programs. This can even override the default browser behavior, so you might configure IE Metro as the default but choose to open all external links in the desktop version. (Where: Programs tab, Opening Internet Explorer.)

• Manage add‑ons: Unlike IE Metro, the desktop version can be extended with an amazing array of add‑ons. You manage them through the logically named Manage Add‑ons interface. (Where: Programs tab, Manage add‑ons, Manage add‑ons.)

NOTE

You can also launch Manage Add‑ons from the Tools menu in IE.