(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...Earlier this month, Internet Explorer 10 became available for Windows 7. Even though there are some dramatic differences between the version of Internet Explorer 10 that runs on Windows 8 and the one that runs on Windows 7, they mainly have to do with the new “touch screen” technology that many computers are offering. Even though IE10 was made for Windows 8, it can be beneficial to use if you are running Windows 7.
The SmartScreen technology used in Internet Explorer 10 helps protect from malware and the collecting of information. This is automatically enabled, and you can verify this setting by opening Internet Explorer, clicking “Tools” and hovering over “SmartScreen Filter.” It will indicate if you can turn it on or off. I recommend it stay on for every website you visit.
The “Pin it” feature is nice for Windows 8 users. When you are in a website you would like to pin, right-click somewhere on the page and click the “pin” symbol at the bottom. Select either “Pin to Start,” which will pin it to the “Start” screen giving it its own tile, or you can select “Add to favorites” and it will be put in your “Favorites” menu. You must open Internet Explorer from the “Start” screen and not the desktop to use the “Pin it” feature.
Next week, I’ll cover Microsoft’s new online email program called Outlook.com. Since this is in its early stages, if you are looking for a new email address and want to customize it with your name or something else, this is a good time to sign up for it because it is only about a month old and the rest of the world hasn’t learned about it yet. It’s free and has lots of great features. Just go to www.Outlook.com and click the “Sign up now” link.
During sign up, when it asks for your phone number, I strongly recommend you use a cell phone that can receive texts if you have one. If you don’t, I recommend you use your home phone number. The main purpose of this feature is to help you gain access to your account if you forget your password. Microsoft will text you a code to enter online to access your email or they will call you on your phone to give you the code. I’ve never gotten a call or text from Microsoft without first initiating it. You are limited to three “sign ups” per day from the same IP address.
Scott Lindsay actively promotes learning the computer, regardless of age, to better one’s life and circumstances and has helped thousands of people over the past 12 years to become better computer users. He can be reached at Scott@MicroScottPro.com.
