How to Make Internet Explorer Default Browser

Overview

To install an InfraWare program, Internet Explorer (IE) must be your computer's default web browser.  This is because the installer launches web pages during the installation which require IE features.  If you have never installed a different browser, your machine should be fine.  Windows includes IE.  Other browsers (such as Fire Fox, Mozilla, Opera, etc.) can be installed, but they are not compatible for use with InfraWare.

Solution

• Unfortunately, Microsoft has changed the way you specify your default browser a few times in recent years.  The old way was to go to Internet Options in Control Panel (Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Internet Options).  On the Programs tab, there was a place to specify your default browser.  In some newer XP systems, that setting still exists but doesn't work.  In other XP systems, the setting isn't even displayed. 

• The newer method of specifying your default browser is located in Add/Remove Programs.  Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs. 

• On the left margin of the Add/Remove Programs window, there is an icon labeled:  Set Program Access and Defaults. 

• Click this icon then click to expand the Custom option.  In this area, you can select Internet Explorer under the heading: Choose a default Web Browser. Click Ok.  Your default web browser is now Internet Explorer and you can begin the installation of InfraWare programs.