There are two versions of IE 10 in Windows 8, the new Metro-style UI version, and
the traditional 'desktop' browser.
The main purpose of this page is to explain how you can configure the
IE 10 Metro tile so that you get the traditional Microsoft Internet Explorer,
and not Microsoft's new locked-down version.
When you launch IE 10 from the Metro interface you get a special
new version, which is very secure and protective, but hard to change. That is the 'problem' I am going to solve.
Incidentally, I have not found a way to add an IE 10 tile to the Metro
interface that mimics the desktop version of IE 10.
If you are at the Metro UI, then click the desktop tile. Now launch IE 10 from the
taskbar (key point), what you get is the full traditional Internet Explorer,
it looks like an upgrade
from IE 9.
Now here is the trick for getting the Metro UI version to behave in the manner
of a traditional IE browser.
With the desktop version of IE 10 open, click on the familiar cog
top-right.
Select: Internet options
Click: 'Programs' tab
Tick: 'Open Internet Explorer tiles on the desktop', see screenshot
below.
Note 1: The key point is 'Open Internet Explorer tiles on
the desktop'. (What you select under 'Choose how you open links' is not critical.)
There is an alternative, - some say better - method of getting the
configurable form of IE 10.
Let us assume that you have already launched Microsoft's browser from the default Metro
tile.
Right-click in the IE 10 interface, and you should see control icons at the
bottom of the screen. Select the Wrench, then 'View on the Desktop'.
(If no bar appears try WinKey +z)
The difference is that now you will see the traditional Internet Explorer
and crucially, that cog at the top where you can make your internet options.
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Naturally, IE 10 supports HTML 5 standards and CSS3 features such
as text shadow. What pleases me most with viewing my own sites in IE 10
is that it renders the text more
crisply especially at 150%; in particularly the Milonic JavaScript menus are
clearer. Others webmaster report that their animations are smoother
because they now run at about 40 frames per second.
IE 10 also brings autocorrect; apparently spellchecking regularly
makes the top 10 of wish lists for browsers. In March 2012, this will only
work if you have Windows 8, but it will work from Windows 7 when you upgrade
its
browser to IE 10.
(Mis-)
Note 2: It's frustrating if you don't have IE 10 because
autocorrect doesn't work and nothing happens.
Note 3: As a web author, I was thwarted when I realized
that IE 10 was not going to correct typos in my published text. The
spell checker only operates on stuff readers' type in input boxes!
Tip: Control Your IE 10 Font Size You can easily
increase or decrease the font size; press Ctrl + (plus key) for larger
sizes, or Ctrl - (minus key) to get more text per line.
Microsoft's IE 10 Metro Design Philosophy
Microsoft has designed IE 10 Metro to not only be self-sufficient, but
also to be
devoid of plug-ins, which could sap battery life, or compromise security.
Indeed, I haven't found a way of introducing my favourite add-ons to this
Metro UI view of Microsoft's browser.
Microsoft describes IE 10 as 'Fast and fluid', and their developers have
designed a browser for touch as well as mouse use. I must admit, it's
not easy to remember that the address bar is at the bottom of the screen
rather than at eye-line as in other browsers.
The Metro version of IE 10 places the emphasis on the websites
themselves, Microsoft has removed all the tabs and Window management menus
and buttons, and it's rather like being fitted with blinkers to make you
concentrate on the website information.
When you need the controls to navigate, then right-click with mouse and
use the '+' at the top, or one of the tools such as 'Pin' at the bottom.
You can see in the screenshot how IE displays frequently visited sites next
to those that you have pinned to the Start screen.
If you want to print from the Metro UI, then try the old keyboard favourite:
Ctrl +p. Alternatively, call for the faithful 'Charms' with WinKey +c and
click on 'Devices'.
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Only in the Metro version of IE 10 can you 'Pin to Start'. I see this
as an alternative to 'Add to favorites'. However, even I realize that
you have to use this selectively else you will soon have a Metro screen with
nothing but internet shortcuts.
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To prevent malicious server attacks, browsers are discouraged on servers.
Yet there are situations when I find it useful to troubleshoot a server
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Summary: How to Control the Desktop Version of IE 10
In Windows 8 there are two versions of the IE 10 browser; when you click on the IE
tile on the start screen you get the default Metro browser. However,
if you prefer the traditional desktop version of Internet Explorer, then it's
possible to change the behaviour of the tile on the (Metro) start screen.
If you like this page then please share it with your friends
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