I realize this is a probably a stupid question, but I'm still ignorant about some of this internet stuff and I'd really appreciate the help.

I am running Windows XP Home. We have Internet Exlorer 5, although I've read we should have IE 6.0. I can download IE 6.0, but my concern is how that would affect my current settings and especially my "Favorites" - I don't want to lose them.

Also, in regards to the Klez virus that's running around, I want to make sure that I apply any patches that are needed.

Can anybody give me the step-by-step instructions to upgrade safely?

Thanks,
Teresa

Here is the download site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/ie6/download.asp Just click on "Go" on the top right. Your Favorites won't be affected. I don't think you would be susceptible to a virus. If you have a virus protection, it would detect it. I haven't heard of any problems with IE6.

OK, now I'm confused! WindowsXP Home ships with Internet Explorer 6. How is it that you have IE 5 installed?

quote:

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Originally posted by Dixie:
Here is the download site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/ie6/download.asp Just click on "Go" on the top right. Your Favorites won't be affected. I don't think you would be susceptible to a virus. If you have a virus protection, it would detect it. I haven't heard of any problems with IE6.

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Thanks, Dixie. That's helpful!

Tom, I wondered about that, too.

As I understand it, Internet Explorer is included in Windows XP, but is not necessarily installed by default. If you upgraded to Windows XP from Windows 98 or ME, the existing version may remain in place.

You can normally install Internet Explorer 6 via Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs, Add/Remove Windows Components. Click the Internet Explorer checkbox to select it. You should also select "Update root certificates" if it is not installed.

The Microsoft Virtual Machine (Java) is not included in Windows XP. To install the currrent version, download the Microsoft VM build 3805.

Tom,

No, we didn't upgrade to XP. We bought the computer new and XP came with it - so I have no idea how we got IE5.

Thanks for the instructions for installing IE6. I'll give it a try.

Teresa

I get the feeling that you have a prerelease (i.e., Beta) version of Windows XP installed. I can think of no other reason for IE 5 to have been included. It's possible that the software has essentially been pirated by the manufacturer (or whoever the seller was). Was the original Windows XP CD included with the machine?

It is possible we have a "pre-release" version because we have a recovery CD from the manufacturer (which the Microsoft site says is legal) rather than an original Windows CD.

I tried to upgrade to IE6 and it told me it couldn't do that because I already have a later version installed. Is it possible we had IE5, got an online automatic update and installed it, and now we have BOTH on the computer – or maybe it updated to IE6, but didn’t change the name?

What's the difference between IE5 and IE6? How can I tell which one we're actually using?

If I really do have IE6 running, what should I do with the program icons that say they are IE5? I’ve got one that says it’s IE5, another that just says it’s IE (no number), and maybe others(?).

Thanks,
Teresa

To determine the version of Internet Explorer, start the program, then click Help and "About Internet Explorer". See the Microsoft Knowledge Base article How to Determine Which Version of Internet Explorer Is Installed for details.

Help & About says I have IE6 in both programs so I guess I'll just delete the one that says its IE5.

Sorry for all the questions. Like I said, I'm pretty ignorant about some of this stuff. Next time I don't know what I'm running, I'll check Help & About. I was just going by what the "Properties" said.

Tom, thanks for all your time and advice.

Teresa