Windows 7 Browser Problems

Browser Wars

With the Internet in full swing, it is no surprise that there have been a number of ways to access the Internet, through the use of a browser. Today, there are many to chose from and with a variety, also comes issues that may arise. Currently, there are five main browsers that users of Windows 7 can choose from -

• Internet Explorer 8
• Opera 10
• Google Chrome
• Safari
• Firefox 3.6

For some users, their main browser may be the current version of Internet Explorer, which is the mainstay of most of the Windows operating systems. A good majority of online programs and add-ins work exclusively with Internet Explorer and it’s varying versions. This article will deal mainly with this main browser and some of the issues a user may experience, but issues that may be experienced with the other browsers will also be mentioned.

Internet Explorer 8

Internet Explorer 8 is the current version of Microsoft’s browser, which can be easily downloaded from either the main website of Microsoft or via Windows Updates for users of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. Solving Windows IE7 browser problems involving IE is not complicated, though it can be very frustrating to find that your browser is not working the way you want it to.

Problems - IE8

• IE won’t open
• Unexpected shutdowns/closes suddenly
• Add ins not working/not responding

Solutions

In most cases with IE8, the best way to solve the issue is to usually close Internet Explorer and try reopening it again. In the case where the browser shuts down suddenly, try reopening; you will most likely get the message asking if you would like to restore the closed tabs or if you would like to start a new session.

If IE experienced a problem with an open website, choose the option to start a new session.

In the case of an add in (like Flash or Adobe Reader), you can try to update the add in by updating the component. Usually, these updates happen automatically but you can always check for them either by going to the program’s help menu and selecting ‘check for updates’ or by going to the website itself. You can also try disabling the problem add in by going through the Tools menu and selecting ‘Manage Add Ons’.

Sometimes, if IE doesn’t seem to be working at all, you may need to uninstall it and then reinstall it. You can do this by going to the Control Panel’s Add/Remove Programs. Once uninstalled, you will need to restart your computer. When the computer comes back on, you can download IE8 again by going through Windows Updates.

Other Browsers

As mentioned above, Internet Explorer isn’t the only kid on the block when it comes to Internet Browsers. In some cases, users will have an alternate browser besides IE that they use to view other sites in. One of the most popular alternates is Mozilla’s Firefox. Other popular alternatives are Opera, Apple’s Safari, and Google Chrome.

What happens if a user experiences a problem with one of these browsers? There are still ways to overcome the problem. In most cases, an update to the browser is required. Both Firefox and Opera can be set up for automatic updates, while Safari is usually updated when iTunes and other Apple products are. Usually issues with other browsers are the add ins that are used to make certain websites work. These include Adobe products (Flash, Shockwave) or even adds for the browser itself.

The best way to solve this is to again, update the add ins or disable them. There may also be issues with designs for the browsers like skins and for Firefox, themes. If having an issue with a theme or skin, try switching to different theme or try uninstalling it.

Conclusion

Having an issue with a browser can be frustrating, especially when in the midst of trying to work. However, by having some idea on what could happen and how to handle problems, getting back up and running will take no time at all.