Browser

Each browser has a navigation toolbar like the one shown below. This navigation bar is the most essential portion of the browser. Below is a basic explanation of buttons most commonly used.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 navigation bar

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0

• Back - Used to visit the previous page that referred you to the page you are currently located at. This button is likely going to be the button you use the most while browsing on the Internet and as shown above is a large arrow pointing to the left.

• Forward - Like the back button this button moves you forward a page. If you have not gone back you will be unable to go forward and this button will likely be grayed out as seen above. Often this button is seldom used. 

• Stop - Stop the loading of a website, this button may need to be used if the page is taking to long to load or is having problems loading. If the page has not started loading the browser window may be blank. If this is the case you can either try refreshing the page or clicking the back button. Users can also press their esc key to stop loading a page.

• Refresh (Reload) - Most Internet browsers cache web pages so you do not have to download the full page each time you visit it. On some pages it may be required that you press the refresh button to get the latest version of the web page. This button is also commonly used to reload a page that may have aborted due to an error. Users can also often press the F5 key to refresh the page.

• Home - Go back to your default web page. This is the same page that loads when your browser loads. Additional information about making Computer Hope your start page can be found at "Making us your start page". Information about how to change your browser home page can also be found on document CH000577.

• Search - Open your default search page or search for text found in the Address or URL text field.

• Favorites - View and/or visit a website in your favorites list. The term "Favorites" is used with Microsoft Internet Explorer, in other browsers this may be known as book marks or a hotlist. 

• Print - Print the page you are currently on. This option is not always available and is commonly accessed by clicking on the "File" drop down menu.

• Font (Size) - Increase / Decrease the size of a font.

• Mail - Open your e-mail program.

Below is an explanation of other options that you may seen in the browser window that are not seen in the above illustration.

• Edit - Edit the web page you are currently viewing in a HTML editor.

• Full Screen - Make the browser window full screen removing all of the toolbars. Often this option is entered and exited by pressing the F11 key on your keyboard.

• History - View the history of pages that have been visited since the browser history was last cleared and/or created. Information about how to clear the browser history can be found on document CH000510.

Also see: ActiveX, Address bar, BHO, Book mark, Browse, Cookie, Firefox, Flash, IE, Internet, Internet Explorer, Konqueror, Lynx, Mosaic, Opera, Plug-In, Safari, Tabbed browsing