How To Update The Internet Explorer Browser - Why And When Is It Done, Check The Existing Version And Install A New One

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 10:46

Internet Explorer: why update your browser and how to do it

Although most users do not open Internet Explorer in favor of another browser, sometimes people ask questions about updating it. Why does Internet Explorer need to be updated? How to do this and what to do in case of an update error?

Content

• 1 Internet Explorer: why update and how to find out the current version

• 2 How to update your browser for free

  • 2.1 Via the official website
  • 2.2 Through the browser itself
  • 2.3 Through the update center

• 3 Problems updating Internet Explorer: causes and solutions

  • 3.1 Windows is missing updates
  • 3.2 Windows is not supported
  • 3.3 Antivirus program operation
  • 3.4 There are viruses on the computer
  • 3.5 Hybrid graphics card

Internet Explorer: why update and how to find out the current version

Internet Explorer (IE) is the default browser installed on any version of Windows PC. Its most recent version is Internet Explorer 11. You don't have to use it, but you still need to update it. Why?

1. IE is directly related to the operating system of the computer and the operation of programs that need access to the Internet depends on it. For example, if the required IE updates are not installed, the well-known Skype video calling utility may not work.
2. It is very dangerous to use an un-updated browser as it increases the risk of virus infection on your computer: protection is already weak and cannot withstand new viruses. Browser update guarantees security.
3. With the update of the program, the user also receives new functions.
4. The old version of IE is very slow and the pages may not display correctly.

Windows has several versions. The oldest is XP. For her, the most accessible version of the standard browser is IE 8. For Windows Vista - IE 9. However, these OS options are no longer serviced or updated. This also applies to IE. If you have Vista or XP, you will not get any browser updates either. In this case, it is recommended to upgrade to Windows 7, 8 or 10 and update IE to version 11.

Find out if you need to update IE. To do this, look at the current version of the browser. Follow these steps:

1. Open IE browser. Find the gear icon in the upper right corner and click. This section is called "Service". It also opens with the alt=" + X key combination.

   

   Open IE menu

2. In the small menu, select the "About" item.

3. A window will appear on top of the browser with the current version number of your IE. For this standard Windows program to update itself without your participation, check the box to the left of the "Install new versions automatically" item. The browser will now receive the update on its own if the automatic installation of Windows updates is configured on the PC.

   

   See which version of IE you have on your PC

How to update your browser for free

There are several ways to update Internet Explorer. Let's consider them all in order.

Close your browser before updating it. Don't worry about settings, bookmarks and browsing history in the browser - everything will remain in place after the update.

Through the official website

The easiest way to get a new version of IE is to download the installer from the official resource and install the new version over the old one. Do the following:

1. Go to Microsoft's official website to download the distribution of the new version of IE.

2. Select the version of the Windows operating system that you have on your PC, such as Windows 7.

   

   Select your Windows version

3. The system prompts you to download the Internet Explorer 11 installer for 32-bit or 64-bit. Select your option and click on the appropriate button.

   

   Select the size of your system and click on the "Download" button

4. Run the downloaded file. The installation of the latest version of IE for your Windows will begin.

   

   Open the downloaded file

5. Click on "Install".

   

   Click on "Install"

6. The IE installation will start.

   

   Wait for the new version of IE to install

7. The system will ask you to restart your PC for the changes to take effect. Click on the corresponding button. If you don't want to restart now, click on "Restart later".

   

   Click on "Restart Now"

8. Launch IE after restarting your device and select the recommended security settings.

   

   Set Recommended Security Settings

Through the browser itself

You cannot download an update for Internet Explorer itself. You can only view the current version of the browser and check the box for automatic browser in the "About" section.

Through the update center

Since IE is part of the operating system, it is updated along with Windows. To start the update process, do the following:

1. Go to the start menu. Find the "Control Panel" section and double-click it to open it.

   

   Open "Control Panel"

2. In the new window, select the "System and Security" block.

   

   Open the "System and Security" section

3. Open Windows Update.
4. If you have automatic updates turned off, turn it on. Click on "Search for Updates".
5. Wait for the search to complete. This may take several minutes.

6. The system will find important and optional updates. Updating Internet Explorer is important, so we select the first item.

   

   Click on "Important Updates: 1 Available"

7. Make sure IE is checked in the list of updates. You can immediately check all the other items, as this will help improve the performance of your PC. Click on OK.

   

   Check the box for IE updates

8. Click on Install Updates. The system will automatically create a restore point so that in case of an unsuccessful update, everything can be returned to its previous state.
9. The system will start downloading and installing updates. In this case, you will not be able to work at this time on a PC, as a blue screen will appear, in which the installation progress will be displayed. The computer will restart itself.
10. Open IE. Check the box "Use recommended settings". Click on OK.

Problems updating Internet Explorer: causes and solutions

During the update of the main Windows browser, users may face the system refusal to install its new version.

What can cause upgrade problems? What should I do to get the update installed?

Windows is missing updates

If you have Windows 7 on your PC, it is possible that the new version of IE does not want to install because Service Pack 1 lacks a global update. Update it via Windows Update:

1. Open the Start menu and then the Control Panel section.
2. Select the "System and Security" block, and then click on "Windows Update".
3. Click on Check for Updates.
4. Open the item with important updates.

5. Check all the items on the list, including Service Pack 1.

   

   Select updates for Service Pack 1

6. Click on "Install Updates" and wait for everything to install.
7. Try downloading the new version of IE from the official site.

IE update problem can also occur when the OS lacks updates for other elements. The system will warn you about this and offer to immediately install all the necessary new versions of the components. Click on the "Get an update" button so that the system can download and install everything itself, and then try updating IE again.

Click on the "Get update" button

Windows OS not supported

Your operating system may not meet the requirements of IE 11. This will be reported by the system when you run a software update.

Click on OK

You need OS version 7 or higher, SP1 or later. If you have an old Windows, for example, XP or Vista - install a new version, for example, Windows 7. With the installation of a new OS, you will receive all updates for IE at once.

Also make sure you select the correct system bit (32-bit and 64-bit). To check what type of system you have, follow these steps:

1. Go to the "Update Center", as described in the section above this article.

2. Click on "OS Build Information".

   

   Click on the OS Build Information link located in the lower right corner

3. In the new section, pay attention to the item "System type".

   

   Look at the bit depth in the "System Type"

Antivirus program operation

Sometimes the antivirus can block the installation of not only third-party programs, but also the official software from Microsoft. To check if the antivirus does not interfere with the installation of IE updates, disable it for a while and try to install the update for the browser again. After that, do not forget to turn the antivirus back on.

There are viruses on the computer

Malicious programs can also block the installation of the update for IE. Check your computer for viruses. If there are any, disinfect the system and try updating the Windows Master Browser again.

Hybrid graphics card

Internet Explorer 11 may not install if you have a hybrid graphics card on your PC. In this case, you need to download drivers from the Internet for its correct operation. Then update IE to version 11.

Internet Explorer needs to be updated, even if you are not using it, since its parameters affect the operation of other programs that access the Internet. You can configure automatic updates in the "About" section. If the update was not automatically installed, update the browser manually through the official Microsoft website or through the update center. Before downloading the installer, make sure that its bitness corresponds to the type of your system and you have Windows 7 or higher on your PC.