Windows Explorer in Internet Explorer 9?

[esther]

I use Microsoft Vista and have been happy with my Internet Explorer 7--but it looks like I must "upgrade" to Internet Explorer 9. Have not downloaded it yet, but have looked on many sites--what happened to Windows Explorer, where I can view all the files on my computer? Thank you for any help you can give.

[Corrine]

Hi, esther.

I'm a bit confused by your question. Windows Explorer is the "file manager" component. Internet Explorer 9 is a web browser.

There is no change in accessing Windows Explorer when you update to IE9. However, IE9 does have significant security improvements. (See  Internet Explorer 9, Privacy and Security Enhancements )
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[esther]

Hi, Corrine, thanks for your prompt reply. What I meant with my question was, when I do download IE9, how do I access my list of files? Windows Explorer "displays the files and folders on your computer", and all I do now is click on its icon. I am on IE7 now and from all I have read, I don't know how to do that on IE9, I don't see it on any of the instructions I have read.

Additionally: I am using Vista, NOT Windows 7. I have tons of favorites. I understand that I could import these favorites from Windows 7; but from Vista, how would I get my favorites into IE9? Would I have to enter them each individually?

Again, I am afraid to download IE9 until I feel more comfortable with this. Thank you.

[frapper]

Esther, Corrine is saying that "Internet Explorer" or IE is a totally different program from "Windows Explorer". It's just that they both share the word Explorer, which is unfortunately sometimes confusing.

Internet Explorer or IE is the one you'd be upgrading to IE 9. It has nothing to do with the other program you use to look at your files.

Upgrading to IE 9 will not change your Windows Explorer file program in any way. OK?

[esther]

Thank you, Frapper. Sorry I wasn't clear. I know they are different programs. My question was, how do I ACCESS Windows Explorer from IE9? Currently in IE7, all I do is click on the Windows Explorer icon.

And, how do I move my gazillion favorites from my Vista/IE7 [NOT Windows 7] to IE9?

Thanks again.

[frapper]

Your gazillion Favorites will still be in the same place. It will install the new version, IE9, over the top of the old IE7. Your settings will still remain the same. The way it appears visually may be slightly different however. Microsoft has changed the position of the Address bar, Menu bar, etc. in some versions. Perhaps Corrine can address that aspect.

As for accessing Windows Explorer from within IE 9, I have no idea. I've never heard of anyone doing that. Hopefully Corrine can address that too. Hold off on the upgrade until you're sure that you'll be comfortable.

As a visual aid, here is what IE9 looks like in Windows 7. I don't like it, but then I use Firefox as my browser.

Click this link. It's safe.  http://i.imgur.com/3bL2Z.jpg 

Edited to add: Here's a tour of IE9  http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/29060/inter...interface/ 

[plodr]

Here is how IE 7 in Vista appears and maybe we'll understand what you are trying to explain.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Windows_..._Vista.png 
What icon you click to access Windows explorer?

[Corrine]

Hi, Esther.

Upgrading the browser has nothing to do with whether your OS is Windows Vista or Windows 7 (other than Windows XP cannot be upgraded to IE9).

Have you perhaps created a custom shortcut in Internet Explorer to open Windows Explorer? For example, if you place C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu in the address bar, IE is smart enough to launch Windows Explorer.

Explore All Users: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
Explore: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

If that isn't what you are referring to, please provide a screen capture.

By the way, I would like to see you upgrade to IE9 as it is much more secure. However, I personally feel it is better to upgrade in stages and suggest that you first upgrade to IE8, get the appropriate security updates and follow that with upgrading to IE9. As always, create a system restore point prior to making any system changes.

 Download: Windows Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details 

Your IE7 favorites will be included in the upgrade. (As a precaution, you can always export your bookmarks prior to the upgrade.)
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[Corrine]

The ONLY difference between IE9 on Windows Vista & Windows 7 is user preferences.

Frapper's example of IE9 on Windows 7:



Here is IE9 on Windows Vista:



As you can see, my personal preferences are different from Frapper's. IE9 has the identical setup on my Windows 7 computer.
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[esther]

Hi, everybody--thank you for all your help. I guess I made a huge deal out of nothing! After all your responses, I downloaded Internet Explorer 9, and it worked totally seamlessly! Almost everything is totally the same--my desktop appearance and icons, my favorites, my Windows Explorer--it ALL works and looks exactly the same as before! The only thing I have to get used to is there appears to be no search window, you have to type your search into the address bar--and that works, too! Thanks again, everybody!

[Corrine]

Its called the "wonderbar".

Make sure you visit the article I linked to in my first reply so you can filter Active X components and consider a Do Not Track add-on.
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