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My Internet Explorer is slow to open in Windows XP. Can you recommend a procedure to overcome this?

Internet Explorer and Add-ons

It sounds like perhaps an add-on is interfering with Internet Explorer's ability to open quickly. Add-ons are additional pieces of the program that enhance the browser's functionality. For example, Internet Explorer on its own is quite basic. It can't play videos unless a media player add-on is added allowing it to do so. Similarly, it can't display PDF files inside the browser window unless the Adobe add-on is added.

How are Add-ons Added?

Many of these add-ons are added the first time you try to use a function requiring the add-on. You may be prompted with a message to allow the add-on to be installed. You may be familiar with toolbars such as the Google Toolbar. These are often added in conjunction with software installations, sometimes by default. Other add-ons are added in conjunction with a hardware install. For example, your printer may add an add-on to make it easier to print Web pages.

Add-ons and Load Times

Because each add-on is its own little mini-program that must load each time you load Internet Explorer, add-ons can affect the load time. If your browser has dozens of add-ons, each with its own loading requirements, the load accumulates and it takes Windows Explorer a long time to fully open.

Managing Add-ons

Fortunately, Internet Explorer comes with a built-in tool specifically for managing add-ons and viewing each add-on's load time. Go to Tools> Manage Add-ons > Toolbars and Extensions. Here, you'll see a list of all add-ons. Scroll to the far right and you'll see a column detailing each add-on's load time in seconds. If you see an add-on with an excessive load time, that could be the culprit. If it's non-essential, highlight it and click the "disable" button and you should notice an immediate improvement in Internet Explorer's load time. In fact, you may want to go through the list and consider disabling add-ons that you don't need.

When I open Internet Explorer 8, it opens in a small window that I have to maximize. The only exception is if I open my home page off the taskbar or if I leave a window open at max and then click on another link - then the new page will open max. I have tried all the "cures" I can find on the blogs (such as always stretching the window before closing so that Windows "remembers" my preference) but nothing works. Can you help?

Stretch to Max the IE Window

I hope so! A lot of the time stretching to maximize the window before quitting Internet Explorer will program the application to open subsequent pages to the same maximized setting, but not always. In this case, some users suggest a similar procedure with a few modifications:

• First - close all but one IE window
• Then stretch out the page - rather than clicking to maximize.
• Instead of clicking a link, right click it to open the drop menu
• Then choose "Open in New Window".
• Now close the original open window by clicking the X in the top right corner.
• Next, stretch to max out the new page from the corners.
• Now - hold down the CTRL key and click the X to close the new window.
• Now quit IE altogether. HOLDING CTRL IS THE IMPORTANT PART!
• Try re-opening the program and see if this works.

Reset IE Settings

Another route is to reset your IE settings, which you can do from the Control Panel like this:

• Exit and quit all your running programs - including IE
• Click the Start button and select the Start Search box
• Type in inetcpl.cpl then press Enter
• This will open the Internet Options dialogue box
• Choose the Advanced tab
• In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings section, choose Reset
• Click Reset again
• Let the process run, then click Close
• Start IE and see how it goes

Try a JavaScript Tweak

There is also a JavaScript tweak you can try to reset the IE settings. This might not work with your version, but is worth a try. First, open IE. In the address bar type javascript:resizeTo(800,600); close the window and reopen IE - this might do it. If it works, you can play with the numbers to adjust the size.

If you are still stuck with a small IE window, write again and let us know that you tried all these ideas and we can keep going from there. Good luck!!

When using Internet Explorer if I click on any link the computer becomes "locked" and I can do nothing except reboot the machine! The machine was working perfectly until recently.

Links Cause Computer to Freeze

The fact that the computer was working fine up until now makes me wonder if you recently updated any applications or drivers, installed new software, hardware, or drivers, or downloaded any new add-ons. Any of these factors could be the problem causing your computer to freeze and crash.

Several different causes can result in a computer that freezes and locks up when trying to use Internet Explorer. Sometimes it's simply a glitch that can be resolved easily and other times, it takes a lot of troubleshooting to resolve the issue. Follow each of the suggested tips to help find a solution to your problem.

Troubleshooting Links Cause Computer to Freeze: Spyware

Back in the day before I took spyware and viruses super seriously, I noticed that one or the other of them was always responsible for every Internet Explorer error I had that caused my computer to crash. Therefore, the first step I am going to tell you to take is to scan your computer for both spyware and viruses before doing anything else. If you don't have a reliable anti-spyware/anti-virus application, then I recommend that you try Anti-VirusPLUS. If you do have one, then make sure that you update it before running it so that it has the latest protection on it.

Troubleshooting Links Cause Computer to Freeze: Updates

What version of Internet Explorer do you have? The latest one is currently IE8. If your version is out-of-date, it could be causing your computer to crash when you click on links. Update to the latest version of IE now and see if it resolves the problem. Similarly, if you recently upgraded to IE8, you may have a faulty installation. If so, let us know and we can troubleshoot the faulty installation.

Troubleshooting Links Cause Computer to Freeze: Repair IE

Today it is possible for you to try to repair your Internet Explorer using these directions:

1)      Select "Tools."

2)      Select "Internet Options."

3)      Select "Advanced."

4)      Select "Reset."

Troubleshooting Links Cause Computer to Freeze: Check Java

Check all of the following issues related to Java:

1)      Make sure that Java is enabled for Internet Explorer.

2)      Check to see if Java is installed properly.

Troubleshooting Links Cause Computer to Freeze: Add-ons

If you have recently added any add-ons to your IE, this could be creating the problem where clicking links causes your computer to freeze. Uninstall whatever add-on you recently included and see if your IE works properly. If this doesn't do the trick, then try using Internet Explorer without any add-ons at all. You can launch Internet Explorer with No Add-ons by going to Start> Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). If Internet Explorer works properly without add-ons, then enable each add-on one at a time until you find the one that causes the problem. To manage add-ons in Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Manage Add-ons.

Troubleshooting Links Cause Computer to Freeze: Clear Temporary Internet Files

Although this strategy probably isn't going to resolve the problem of your computer crashing on its own, it won't hurt for you to clear your temporary Internet files. Follow these directions:

1)      Open Internet Explorer.

2)      Click on "Tools" in the top menu.

3)      Select the tab for "Delete Browsing History."

4)      Click on the section that has the label, "Temporary Internet Files."

5)      Click the boxes for each of the following pieces of data: history, cookies, and temporary Internet files. Click on "Delete."

I cannot defragment and I cannot open Internet Explorer. Can you help me?

Try the solutions listed below to resolve the problem. More likely than not, you have some type of malware on your computer since the problem that you are having deals with both Internet Explorer and the ability to defrag the computer.

Troubleshooting Defrag Errors: Use "Safe Mode"

You can attempt to defrag your computer while in "Safe Mode." If you are lucky, this will work and the problem is probably just some random yet minor problem. However, if you still cannot defrag the computer even while in "Safe Mode," then you might have a Trojan on the computer and need to take the next step. To get into "Safe Mode," turn the power button on, press the "F8" key before Windows starts to load, select "Last Known Good Configuration," and press "Enter."

Troubleshooting Defrag and Internet Explorer Errors: Use "chkdsk"

If the problem is a simple matter of misplaced files or bad sectors, running the "chkdsk" utility will solve the problem for you. Click on "Start," select "Run," type in "cmd" in the open box that appears, press "Enter." Type in "chkdsk volume:/r" and allow it to run.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Errors: Browser Helper Objects

Take a look at your Internet Explorer set up. Does anything appear be different. Since it is possible that you have inadvertently gotten a Browser Helper Object or BHO, you are probably going to scan for spyware next. However, be\fore you do so, you can also complete the following steps:

1)      Open "Start," "Settings," and "Control Panel."

2)      Open "Internet Options."

3)      Open the "Advanced Tab."

4)      Clear out the box in front of "Enable third-party browser extensions.

5)      Restart "Internet Explorer."

Troubleshooting Defrag Interruption Errors

When defragging your computer, especially with older operating systems, other programs often interrupt the defrag process. In particular, screensavers and antivirus and spyware scans. When defragging, make sure to disable your screensaver, disconnect from the Internet, and temporarily disable your antivirus/antispyware protection. These interruptions can cause an endless restart cycle, causing the defrag utility to start over once the screensaver (or other program) kicks in. 

Troubleshooting Defrag and Internet Explorer Errors: Scan for Trojans, Spyware, and Viruses

The problem with most Trojans, spyware, and viruses is that we don't even know they are there until our computers decide to act funky. Since it is possible that something insidious slipped onto your computer, scan it now with an up-to-date anti-spyware/anti-virus application. If you have one, consider getting a secondary application to catch the bugs that the first application missed. If you don't have an anti-virus/anti-spyware application, I can recommend Anti-Virus PLUS. Other applications that I recommend include: Ad-Aware and AVG.