Simviation Forums

I am confused, Chums.... ...!

(Not an unusual occurrence!)...

....but many Moons ago, I used to have an "Internet Explorer" Icon on my Desktop.
It is no longer there, for some unknown reason, and I daily use Firefox, Opera, and Maxthon to browse the Internet, which works successfully.
If I try to re-Install "Internet Explorer" to use an an alternative Browser, it insists on me setting up a (Broadband) account first, before I can use it to just browse the internet... ...!
My Broadband Service has already been set up many years ago with my Broadband Supplier, so I don't need/want to set it up again with Internet Explorer!

How can I install "Internet Explorer" just to use as an alternative "Browser", with its Icon on my Desktop?

(I cant figure out where my Internet Explorer came from in the first place? Was it part of my original Windows installation?)... ...!

It doesn't seem possible to use it as a "stand-alone", independent, Browser!

Paul...The Confused... ... ... ...!

Lovely old Windows XP Pro, SP2....from long ago... ...!

Internet Explorer is part of the Windows XP install.

If there isn't a shortcut for it in your Start Menu- All Programs list, then have a look in C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer.

If you have that folder, then there should be an iexplore.exe there also, and you would just copy it to your desktop.

If it's not there, or you don't have the folder, then I would suggest maybe the repair option from your XP discs.

There is definitely something different about the Internet Explorer Browser... ...

My Firefox , Opera, Maxthlon, etc, Browsers immediately recognise my Broadband connection as soon as I click on their Icons after installing them...

..after installing any version of Internet Explorer it insists on going through an annoying telephone connection sign-up rigmerole/procedure before it can be used as an alternative Browser to Firefox, etc, as soon as I click on ie.exe!

Ever time, I have to avoid trying to use Internet Explorer as an alternative, "simple" Browser!... ...!

Never mind,  I prefer the other Browsers, anyway!... .... ....!

Paul... 8-)...!

"Repairing" gets complicated with Win XP Pro....plus the additional Service pack 2...(separate CD programs).

Hey Paul,
Right click on your desktop, and choose properties.
Then click the desktop tab. Right under the background selection box, there should be a button named "Customize Desktop". Click it. There you should see a box titled "Desktop Icons". Has the check been cleared from "Internet Explorer"?

If there's no check there, you know what to do.
(Lower on that window is an option called "Desktop Cleanup". Unchecking that will keep it from happening again.

[quote]Hey Paul,
Right click on your desktop, and choose properties.
Then click the desktop tab. Right under the background selection box, there should be a button named "Customize Desktop". Click it. There you should see a box titled "Desktop Icons". Has the check been cleared from "Internet Explorer"?

If there's no check there, you know what to do.
(Lower on that window is an option called "Desktop Cleanup". Unchecking that will keep it from happening again.

I wouldn't have known it, had I not gone through it myself! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]