Active X Features for the Web Browser

By: Robert Thomson Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Learning to install Active X controls is something Internet users ought to know. Correctly arranged, it will help them access some of the Net's outstanding and most essential features. The following are the steps you must put them in.

Required Devices and Equipment

You have to have a personal computer with Windows installed ( version 9x and up ). You should also have a Web browser.

Preparing Your computer

For the components to work, Windows must be installed precisely. If
there are error messages in the system, look at reinstalling it. Your user manual would assist you in case there are Problems.

After assembling the computer you must have the Web browser set up. To install Active X, your browser must support it. The majority of the time, Windows arrives bundled with web Explorer.

Installing

When you install Internet Explorer, the Active X elements are installed with it. You can check this for yourself. Right click the Start button. Click Search. In the'all or part of the file name' field, type *.ocx. All of the files ending with that extension will be shown. Those are the installed parts in your PC.

Tweaking the Controls

Adjusting the framework is easy enough. Open web Explorer. Head to the Tools menu. Click Internet Options and press Security. Push the Custom Level option. You'll see assorted settings there. Make the essential modification. Click OK till you get back to the active window.

Update the Controls

Though you get to install Active X when you add web Explorer, it isn't the newest version. To get the most recent you have
two choices. You can download Internet Explorer or merely the parts. Both can be downloaded free from Microsoft's website. Other websites also have them.

Downloading these files isn't any different from others. You simply click the suitable link and the process starts. Some sites let you download an .exe version of the components. Others will install them automatically as it is downloaded.

Using the Controls with Alternate Browsers

For browsers like Chrome, Safari and Firefox, you will must to install some extensions first. These browsers don't natively know Active X. By adding the plugins, they will be in a position to open the files. Each browser uses different plugins so get the proper one before you install Active X.

Hints and Warnings

Web sites might ask you to install some Active X controls so that the page will load. Usually you simply need to click a link to get the files. Be cautious when installing these files though. The majority are safe, but some are malignant softwares.

Only add controls from reputable sites. Also keep an updated antivirus application in your computer. Having an anti spyware application is also advised.

If your system gets full with unused controls, delete them. For Windows XP users go to Control Panel. Click Add / Remove Programs. Take away the file. Don't remove the files from the system folder. Let Windows remove it.

Knowing how to install Active X and update them is easy enough. Correctly added in, you will get to enjoy some of the finest sides of Web surfing.