Windows 2000 Administration in a Nutshell

Name

Internet Explorer

Synopsis

Browses any resource on the local computer, the network, or the Internet.

To Launch

• Start → Programs → Internet Explorer

• Desktop → Internet Explorer

• Taskbar → Internet Explorer

• Start → Run → enter URL → OK

• My Computer → Address bar → enter URL

• My Network Places → Address bar → enter URL

• Windows Explorer → Address bar → enter URL

• Command interpreter → start iexplore

• Command interpreter → start URL (starts Internet Explorer and accesses the file specified by URL)

Description

Microsoft is right when they claim that Internet Explorer (IE) is more than just a web browser: it really appears to function as an integrated part of the operating system. Not only can you use it to browse the Web by entering a URL into the File → Open box or Address bar, but you can also browse your local computer’s filesystem by entering a local path (such as C:\Winnt) or connect to shared resources on the network by entering a UNC path (such as \\giggles\stuff ). In fact, when you enter a local or UNC path, the menu options and toolbar buttons switch to those for My Computer or My Network Places. In fact, all four browsing tools (Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, My Computer, and My Network Places) are really different appearances of the same program, and their general properties are covered in the article Windows Explorer in this chapter. This present article focuses on the differences between IE and the other personalities of this schizophrenic program.

Menu Options

While the menu ...