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Naturally, before you can begin to use Internet Explorer 6, you must install it on your computer (if it isn't set up on your computer already). Internet Explorer is free. You can download it from any of several sites on the Internet, and you can use it without charge. Microsoft places no restrictions on how you can use it: At home or at the office, Internet Explorer is completely free.
 | How can the good people at Microsoft afford to distribute Internet Explorer for free? Because they're hoping that the browser will catch on like wildfire. Internet Explorers 3, 4, 5, and 5.5 were huge successes. Microsoft hopes to build on that success by offering Internet Explorer 6 at the same irresistible rate. |
For sure, Microsoft plans to make plenty of money from Internet Explorer — not by selling the browser itself, but rather by establishing Internet Explorer as the standard Internet browser used by more people than any other browser. Microsoft then plans to make its money by selling the development tools that Web authors and software developers need to create interesting content that is viewable only with Internet Explorer.
Here are some of the ways you can obtain Internet Explorer 6:
- If you already have Internet access and are using another program (such as Netscape Navigator or an earlier version of Internet Explorer), you can download Internet Explorer 6 from Microsoft's Web site. Note that the download for Internet Explorer can take several hours if you don't have a cable or DSL connection. Better go to the local video store and rent a movie before proceeding. Or start the download just before you go to bed. The download should be finished by morning.
- If your computer runs the latest version of Windows, known as Windows XP, you already have Internet Explorer 6.
- If you sign up with an Internet Service Provider that uses Internet Explorer as its default browser, you may get a CD with Internet Explorer on it. But make sure that the service uses the latest version of Internet Explorer; some ISPs offer only older versions of Internet Explorer.
 | Internet Explorer has been through several major revisions. The current version, Internet Explorer 6, is among the more powerful web browsers available. If you have an earlier version (5.5, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1), be sure to upgrade to Version 6 as soon as possible. You can find Internet Explorer 6 available for download at the Microsoft Web site. |
 | If your computer already has Internet Explorer but you're not sure what version, you can easily find out. Start Internet Explorer by clicking the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop or on the Windows taskbar. Then choose Help --> About Internet Explorer. This action summons a dialog box that tells you which version of Internet Explorer is installed on your computer. |
After you download the Internet Explorer file, exit from your web browser, open the folder into which you downloaded the file, and double-click the file's icon. The Internet Explorer setup program then installs Internet Explorer for you. (Depending on the browser you use, Internet Explorer may automatically install itself after the download finishes. If so, just sit back and enjoy the ride.)
| If you don't want to contend with an hours-long download, you can get Internet Explorer 6 on CD from most computer stores for about $5, or you can order it from Microsoft in the USA by calling 800-458-2048. |
To install the downloaded Internet Explorer 6 on your computer, just follow the instructions that appear when you go to the Internet Explorer download page. If you get Internet Explorer 6 on a CD, insert the CD in your CD-ROM drive and follow the instructions that appear on-screen.
The Internet Explorer 6 Setup program asks you several questions before it installs Internet Explorer on your computer. For starters, the Setup program asks whether you want to install all of Internet Explorer or just part of it. You have two choices:
- Typical Set of Components: Installs just those parts of Internet Explorer that you'll probably use, in Microsoft's opinion. This is the easiest and fastest way to install Internet Explorer.
- Customize Your Installation: Lets you pick exactly which parts of Internet Explorer you want to install. Use this option if you're choosy.
If you have plenty of disk space on your computer and don't mind a long download (as in several hours long unless you have a DSL or cable connection), opt for the Customize Your Installation option, and then select any of the Internet Explorer components that you think you may need. If you select the typical installation, you can always return to the download page later and pick up the components you didn't install the first time.
| If you have Windows 98, Windows Millenium Edition (also known as Windows Me), or Windows 2000 and an Internet connection, you can upgrade to Internet Explorer 6 by clicking the Start button and then choosing Settings --> Windows Update. Performing these steps takes you to the Windows Update site, which automatically offers to install new Windows features, including Internet Explorer 6. |
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