Microsoft® Internet Explorer contains many exciting new features and enhancements. It is simple enough for novice users but fast and sophisticated enough for Web-savvy pros. It makes using the World Wide Web and creating Web sites available to everyone.  If you're already well versed in Internet Explorer 5.0 or 5.5 basics, you can go immediately to Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 Part 2: For the Pros.

• What’s new in Internet Explorer 5.0 & 5.5?
• Web accessories

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What’s new in Internet Explorer 5.0 and 5.5?

Using Microsoft IntelliSense® technology, Internet Explorer simplifies and automates common browsing tasks—like searching, navigating, and organizing and accessing information—and offers users more flexibility.

Here are some examples of changes and new features:

Searching

With Search Assistant, get more useful search results by specifying beforehand the type of information you're looking for (such as an address, Web page, company, or map) and using a search engine geared toward this type.

Favorites

When you add a Web page to your Favorites, select Make Available Offline to store the most recently viewed version for offline use. Easily create, move, rename, or delete folders or files from Favorites with the Organize button. Right-click a Favorite to see options such as printing.

History

List your History sites by date visited, site name, number of visits, or order you visited today. Use the search tool to find keywords on any of the pages you visited. Smart sorting also gives you the option of having History listed alphabetically.

Go button

If you prefer, click Go, rather than pressing ENTER, after you type a uniform resource locator (URL) in the address bar.

Automated features

To speed and simplify your browsing experience, Internet Explorer includes the following:

• AutoComplete—Provides a drop-down list of choices that match what you're typing, whether it’s a URL on an address bar or filling out a form on a Web site
• AutoCorrect—Fixes typos as you type
• AutoSearch—Gives you Web search results when you type part of a URL in the address bar
• AutoInstall—Installs an Internet Explorer component required by a Web page
• AutoDetect—Gives you visual cues about what's accessible offline
• AutoConfiguration—Locates and connects to the appropriate proxy server if you use one to connect to a network

Customization

Easily choose the search engine(s) that Search Assistant uses, your default e-mail client, your home page, and, with Content Advisor, the sites that your kids can or can't visit.

Web accessories

These are developed and distributed by major Web sites to work in conjunction with their sites and customize aspects of Internet Explorer such as your toolbar and menu items. Some sites have developed custom Explorer bars, for instance.

Sites to visit

• Download Internet Explorer 5.0 and 5.5
• Custom Explorer Bars Give Sites an Edge
• Download Internet Explorer Web Accessories