The Internet Explorer web browser can be a very useful and powerful tool if you take advantage of the custom options. You can do everything from check your Google page ranking to shutting down your system right from your IE browser if you take the time to choose the settings you prefer.
The first step to creating a custom IE toolbar is to open your IE browser. Once it loads you will see "view" as one of your choices at the top. Click on View and then choose Toolbars and finally choose Customize. The Customize option will bring up a small window. Here you will find custom options for your IE toolbar.
The left hand box in the window will allow you to choose the buttons you want to appear on your tool bar. There are many useful options to pick from. The text size option will allow you to enlarge or shrink the size of the text on a web site with the click of a button. This allows for much easier viewing when surfing the web. The cut, copy and paste options allow easy transfer of information without having to use the pull-down menus. Print preview lets you see what your printed document will look like before you print it. There are several options available. To add any of these new buttons to your toolbar, simply click on the one you want to add. Once you do this, click the add button between the two boxes. Finally click close. When you look at your toolbar you will now see the new buttons you added.
The customize window also gives two pull down menus. One allows you to choose if your buttons display text labels on them. If you are already familiar with what each button does, then you can also choose to have no text labels attached. You can choose text on the bottom of each button, no text labels or selective text to the right of certain pre-selected buttons (these are reselected by IE, you cannot choose them). The other drop down menu allows you to choose either large or small icons. To set either of these drop down options, simply click on the down arrow on the right of each menu and choose which option you would like. When you are finished click on reset then close the window and your toolbar will show the new setting you chose.
Another great option to make your IE toolbar more useful is to use free downloads from major search engines. Both Yahoo and Google offer custom additions to your IE toolbar. They offer such custom features as searching the web and blocking pop-up windows directly from your IE toolbar.
Another way to enhance your IE toolbar is with a skin. These colorful and artistic creations can break the monotony of spending lots of time working at your computer. A skin is simply “wallpaper” for your toolbar. You can search for IE Toolbar skins on any major search engine. Once you find one you like, follow the instructions on the web site on how to download and install your new toolbar background.
There are many other IE toolbar enhancements that you can download and install on your computer. You can do a search for IE Toolbar on a search engine and find many websites that offer custom additions to make your web surfing an easier and more enjoyable experience. All of these kinds of websites offer instructions on how to install their toolbar upgrades to your system. By taking the time to find out what works best for you, you can easily create a customized and functional toolbar with IE.
