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I need my computer to stop annoying me and asking me every time whether or not I want ActiveX controls and plug-ins to run. Literally it comes up every second! Please help!

Active X Controls

Yikes, that is annoying! Your browser is a plain Jane program without ActiveX controls and plug-ins. Without these added goodies, you wouldn’t be able to view PDFs, watch videos, listen to music, participate in Web discussions, upload documents, sign into Windows Live, and more. Many come with Windows while others must be installed or added on which is why you may also hear the term “add-ons” when discussing ActiveX controls and plug-ins.

ActiveX Warnings

ActiveX and plug-ins have been exploited in the past which is why Web browsers come with specific security settings to protect against harmful ones. It sounds to me as if your browser’s security settings are set to warn you each time an ActiveX or plug-in needs to perform a certain task, which could be quite often depending on the current Web sites you are using and tasks that you need to perform.

Common ActiveX and Plug-in Settings

I’m not sure which Web browser you’re using, so we’ll work with Internet Explorer 8.0 as an example. The steps are similar for earlier versions. Open Internet Explorer and go to the Tools menu. Choose Internet Options. Click the Internet globe icon to highlight it and then click Custom Level.

Under Settings, scroll to the ActiveX and Plug-ins section. Here you will find the following options which I will number for later explanation:

1. Allow previously unused ActiveX controls to run without prompt
2. Allow scriptlets
3. Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls
4. Binary and script behaviors
5. Display video and animation on a webpage that does not use an external media player
6. Download signed ActiveX controls
7. Download unsigned ActiveX controls
8. Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe for scripting
9. Only allow approved domains to use ActiveX without prompt
10. Run ActiveX controls and Plug-ins
11. Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting

As you can see, there are almost a dozen options for how your computer should handle ActiveX controls and plug-ins. Each of these categories has options along the lines of enable, disable, or prompt. Some, such as #1, #2, #7, and #8, should be disabled. Others such as #6 are generally safe to enable. If in doubt, select “prompt” and make your decision on a case-by-case basis.

Since your computer is warning you constantly, I suspect that #3 (Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls) is set to enable. This means that every time an ActiveX control is called up, you’ll see a little message and a prompt. Try changing this to disable, and the bulk of the messages should go away. I would also make sure that #10 is set to enable rather than prompt.

I keep getting these pop-ups saying need Java and/or ActiveX. I can’t play any games at all.

With a lot of online games, you need to have Java and/or ActiveX installed on the computer as well as set up to run (enabled). Fortunately, you can set this up at no cost. Follow the directions offered here in order to do so. Although it isn’t a difficult task, it helps to be able to complete the job without any interruptions. Just make sure you have a bit of quiet time and close out all other applications before you begin.

What is Java?

Java is an application that allows us to do quite a few activities on the computer including playing games and using 3D imagery. Once you have it installed on your computer, you should be able to play your games.

How to Install Java

In order to obtain the installation you need, just visit Java’s website at Java Downloads. You’ll see a bright blue button in the center of the page labeled “Free Java Download.” Click on it and another page will be generated offering Java downloads. Read through the list to ensure that you are at the proper download page for your operating system. This particular page is for Windows. If it isn’t the correct operating system, then you can click the link directly below the blue button. Just follow the installation instructions and soon you will have installed Java onto your machine. Remember that once you download this application, you also need to enable it to run, so follow the next set or instructions.

How to Enable Java on Internet Explorer

1. Open up Internet Explorer.
2. Look for the section labeled “Tools” and click to open.
3. Select “Internet Options” from the choices.
4. Select “Advanced.”
5. Navigate to the option for enabling Java and mark off the box.
6. Select “OK.”
7. Restart the computer to enable the settings to apply.

If you are using a browser other than Internet Explorer, you can find alternate directions at one of our other articles: How to Enable Javascript.

How to Enable Active Scripting, ActiveX, and Java in Internet Explorer

1. Open up your browser, “Internet Explorer.”
2. Select the option for “Tools” from the menu.
3. Select “Internet Options”.
4. Select the option for “Security.” The option for “Internet Zone” should be selected.
5. Select “Default Level.”
6. Select “OK.”

I tried to download Javascript and I am getting error that ActiveX is not functioning. Where do I get ActiveX or is part of my system that is not working?

Enable Javascript

In order to view content written in Javascript, you must enable your computer’s Web browser to do so, so let’s start there before moving on to ActiveX. Go into Internet Explorer and click Tools > Internet Options. Click the Security tab and then click the globe. Choose Custom Level and find the Scripting section. Find Active Scripting and choose Enable. If you use a different Web browser, view this article about enabling Javascript for more details.

What is ActiveX?

ActiveX is indeed a part of your Windows operating system. ActiveX controls are like small chunks of code that are shared between Microsoft programs. For example, if you are using Internet Explorer and encounter a Web site that contains .wmv video files, a built-in ActiveX control pulls up the code for Windows Media Player and plays the file directly in the Web browser. Similarly, an ActiveX control is responsible for playing Flash within the Web browser rather than launching the Flash Player directly.

ActiveX Settings

ActiveX is often restricted by default in Internet Explorer due to security issues. Viruses and Trojans have tricked users into installing them by posing as legitimate ActiveX controls. Of course, they weren’t legitimate. To protect against such intruders, several layers of security have been implemented. You may need to adjust your security settings to get the ActiveX control that you need working properly.

Again, you will go into Internet Options and click the Security tab. Click Customize and find the ActiveX control section. Look for “Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins.” Is it disabled? If so choose “prompt” or “enable.” There are other ActiveX options, but this is the one that is most likely blocking your installation. Be careful about enabling any of the options for “unsafe” or “unsigned” ActiveX controls. When in doubt, go for “prompt” instead of “enable.” By choosing “prompt” you will be notified on a case-by-case basis about whether or not to run the script.

 
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer uses ActiveX technology to load programs in the browser through the use of ActiveX controls. Some of these more commonly known applications include Flash, Quicktime, and Media Player. These are some of the programs that can read the files that have been embedded in Web pages. Each time I click on an item existing on a Web page so that it loads for display, I am activating an ActiveX control. Numerous ActiveX controls exist since different ones are needed to accomplish different tasks. Some ActiveX controls perform minor tasks while others perform major ones.

Typically, the Website that I am using takes care of activating the ActiveX control for me. ActiveX controls are readily installed on any computer using a Windows operating system. In general, ActiveX controls create an interactive environment between computer users and Websites, often enhancing the experience. A wide assortment of Websites makes use of ActiveX controls on a regular basis. Therefore, it is quite common to be prompted to allow the installation of one of these controls while using Internet Explorer as my browser.

If I want to discover whether a specific ActiveX control is already installed on my computer, I can do a bit of simple sleuthing. I need to open my Internet Explorer browser and look under “tools.” Once I open the “tools” section, I need to navigate to “manage add ons.” Next, I navigate to “enable or disable add ons,” and a list of the add ons should appear. I can look through the list to see if any ActiveX controls are listed.

One example of an ActiveX control would be the Adobe ActiveX control. If it is listed and enabled, then I have that particular control installed. Since so many ActiveX controls exist, it would be difficult to have each and every one of them installed on a computer at any given time. This happens to be one of the reasons why an ActiveX control is typically installed at the time that it is needed.

Sometimes, these controls are not necessary and I will be able to browse the Web page almost as well without them. In other cases, this will not be true and I will need to have the control installed. If the ActiveX control that is required by the Website that I am visiting is already installed on my computer, then it is possible that it will simply perform its task. In general, whenever an ActiveX control that is new to my operating system is about to be introduced, I am given a warning or heads up as well as the opportunity to decide if I want to opt in or out of installing the control.

Internet Explorer will block an installation of ActiveX controls or a Website due to problems with the certificate that is attached to it. In that case, the ActiveX control is probably not a safe one that I want installed on my system.

ActiveX controls, used as very specific ways to implement ActiveX technologies, are software components that have been developed using the principles in ActiveX technologies. The main purpose of ActiveX controls is to add a great deal of functionality and interactivity to Web pages. Examples of the interactivity that has been created due to ActiveX controls are popup menus and animation features, although it does involve quite a bit more.

ActiveX controls come into response whenever a computer user selects media on a Web page. These controls are designed to make the changes appear seamless and effortless. Microsoft Internet Explorer first downloads the content. Next, the correct ActiveX control is called into action according to the nature of the content. In fact, the computer user does not need to do anything since ActiveX is designed to function in response to the request for a specific action that is generated by the clicking of the intended content for download.

In fact, people are using ActiveX controls on a regular basis without even realizing it. Examples of situations when an ActiveX control comes into play include clicking in response to prompts or commands or setting properties in a text box. In fact, ActiveX controls can be thought of as necessary tools to get the work accomplished.

ActiveX controls can be used on a single computer or within a network of computers numerable times. ActiveX controls are often downloaded as small programs used to enhance interactivity and animation between Web pages or they can be used within an application to complete a specific task.

ActiveX controls are similar to Java applets in concept. ActiveX controls run in what is known as containers, which are application programs that utilize the Component Object Model Program Interface. The approach used with Microsoft’s ActiveX controls is designed to reduce development time as well as improve not only the quality but also the capability of the program.

This technology has led to a wide number of benefits. Web content is more attractive and draws more traffic. A wide array of ActiveX controls is available for use immediately. This allows developers to create interactive Websites that will lead to an immediate enhancement of existing sites. These tools are familiar across a variety of programming language vendors, allowing developers to create immediate productivity. These programming languages include Visual Basic®, Visual C++®, Borland C++, Java, Java-enabled tools, and more.

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Primarily used for sharing information among a variety of applications, ActiveX is often used with Web pages in order to create a higher level of interactivity and customization. It is based on reusable software components that are capable of interacting with each other and it is particularly useful in networked environments.

Developed by Microsoft, ActiveX is a collection of tools and programming technologies that have been designed to be object-oriented in nature. ActiveX is derived from two other Microsoft technologies, COM and OLE. COM refers to Component Object Model. OLE refers to Object Linking and Embedding. In actuality, ActiveX represents an entire set of COM-based technologies. Basically, the software technology of ActiveX incorporates pieces of code or objects that pertain to the primary actions that need to occur in order to achieve the end result.

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In general, people often think of ActiveX controls whenever ActiveX is mentioned. However, components of ActiveX are not actually active. Rather, the term, ActiveX, refers to a variety of components including ActiveX EXE, ActiveX DLL, and ActiveX control. To explain further, ActiveX EXE and ActiveX DLL are pieces of code that can be utilized through the references that are attached to them.

Since Microsoft designed it, ActiveX was originally intended for use with Internet Explorer. However, it is possible to write up ActiveX in any number of different programming languages. However, the language used must be capable of recognizing Microsoft’s Component Object Model.

In fact, it is behind the loading of other applications in this browser. These applications include Quicktime, Flash, and Windows Media Player among others. More specifically, ActiveX is designed to work with applications that are capable of reading files that have been embedded in Web pages.

Whenever a computer user clicks on a specific item to download it to their Web browser so that they can view it, ActiveX comes into play. It is through ActiveX technology that users can travel from one page in a Website to another so easily.

Web pages come alive through ActiveX functionality. Multimedia effects, interactive objects, and more enhance the computer user’s experience with the Web due to the technology produced with ActiveX and ActiveX controls. No more static pages that have drab appearances. No more bland displays that offer little pizzazz. In fact, due to the development of ActiveX, Web browsing is better than ever.

Plus, today open, cross-platform support exists across Unix®, Windows®, and Macintosh® operating systems. AcitveX brings innovation and interactivity to a previously static Web. Its flexibility enables a wide variety of developers the opportunity to create an entertaining, productive experience on the Web for computer users.

Based upon a background of an existing COM standard, ActiveX has become one of the richest platforms for development uses for both the Internet and the intranet Client/Server applications that exist today.