How to configure Windows 8 Internet options to get the most out of your connection? Step by step guide

For have a very satisfactory experience when browsing the Internet, it is necessary to carry out a series of configurations on your team. However, few are the users who take the time to do this due to various factors such as ignorance of the subject, or even because it can be a bit tedious.

However, these types of adjustments are generally made only once. This will be enough for you to fully enjoy all the elements available in terms of Internet connection it means. In the case of Windows, the procedure is basically the same in all its versions.

In this way, via control panel you will have very complete options with which you can customize the way in which your team takes advantage of the Internet. Keep reading and we will explain you thoroughly How to configure Windows 8 Internet options?, with the help of a step-by-step guide.

What are Windows 8 Internet Options?

In simple words, Windows 8 Internet Options are a series of configurations that offers Windows for your users with which you can manage everything related to the parameters of the main browser of your computer.

Added to that, it is possible customize options such as security or privacy when connecting to the Internet and even choose what type of navigation you can access the different websites. This is how this version of the operating system of Microsoft It helps that users do not have to install third-party software to manage their connections, since they now have a section specialized in it.

Learn step by step how to configure Internet options to be faster in Windows 8

There are many changes what can you do to be able personalize your browsing experience on your computer.

First of all, to access this control panel you must follow the following procedure:

Go to the bottom right of the screen and right click on the connection icon.
Tap on Open Network and Internet Settings.
Scroll through that menu until you reach Center network and sharing.
In the left panel, specifically at the bottom, select on Internet Options.

Once inside, You have seven main tabs at your disposal to configure all kinds of parameters.

Below we will show you step by step what you can do in each of them and how to modify each of these sections:

general

It is the first tab that opens when you enter the Internet Options. Through this, you can set the home page or pages for your browser. Likewise, you will be able to manage stored data, history and many other details related to the default search options.

With respect to the visual part, you can too customize your appearance (Languages, Colors, Accessibility, Fonts and much more). If you wish improve browser performance a bit, there is a configuration that you can run in this window.

This is the removal of temporary files. To achieve this, follow the steps below:

Go to the tab general.
Tap on the option Delete located in the browsing history area.
When the pop-up window opens, uncheck all options except for "Temporary Internet Files and Website Files" and of "Cookies and website data".

Other than that, if you wish, you can mark the history to delete it. However, it is not recommended because thanks to this information you have easy access to many pages on the Internet.

Security

It is one of the priority sections as for the Internet Options refers, because through it security levels can be managed effectively of the four navigation areas.

These areas are:

Internet.
Intranet local.
Trusted sites.
Restricted sites.

In each of these types you can assign a protection level through the Security menu. This way you manage to protect both your equipment and your data and important accounts to avoid damage or leaks.

For your part, you should know that despite being able to customize the security level for each of the areas mentioned above, there are three pre-configured levels that you can take advantage of:

Tall: measures of maximum security. It is designed for those potentially insecure.
Medium-high: most web sites are included. One of its characteristics is that it asks before downloading content that may be unsafe.
Medium: is the level less strict of all.

Privacy

This section is specialized in allowing people to adjust aspects related to the blocking pages with pop-up ads and even the optimization of private or incognito mode browsing. In addition to that, it is possible to bring the level of cookies that are stored inside the computer.

Another of the most important points that you can configure is that of block specific web pages, with the purpose of protecting minors so that they are not exposed to explicit content. If you learn to properly customize the tab Privacy, you avoid almost all the risks to which you are exposed when browsing with a public network.

In this sense, specifically in the privacy settings for the Internet zone, that is, public networks, there are six levels to select from:

Block all cookies: does not allow access by websites to them.
high.
High average.
Half.
Low.
Accept all cookies.

If you are not very clear what a "Cookie", it is not more than information stored on your computer's hard drive about the visitor when browsing a website, at the request of the server that facilitates the page. Said data can be recovered later in successive visits, in order to be processed and show, for example, changes on the page according to the user's preferences.

Content

This is another of the most important sections when it comes to settings to optimize web browsing. From here you can access the parental control settings for browsing, to control the type of content that will be accessible from the PC.

Likewise, you will be able to decide and manage the sources of information RSS of the websites that are added, as well as install and manage public certificates in the browser to use them in all those web applications that require it. A suggestion to optimize the Internet options is to go to the option of Fonts and Web Slices within Content, and tap on Setting. Within the pop-up screen, you have to uncheck all the boxes shown. This improves browsing speed a bit more.

Connections

Through Connections, the network connection settings are accessed again. This means that here you can modify everything related to the Connection to Internet, either through a local area network with a router or portable Internet. Apart from that, it is possible add a proxy server and a VPN service. For its part, you can also manage networks from a telephone access or an operator in your country.

Programs

This option does not make much sense, since the Internet options are directly from Windows, which means that the only browser that you can manage from this window will be Internet Explorer. It should be noted that it is becoming more and more obsolete, so it is not preferred by most people. However, if you wish review and update its components you can do it from the tab Programs.

Advanced Options

Finally, you find the Advanced Options tab which includes a wide list of alternatives regarding the Internet Explorer settings it means. Here are categories such as accessibility, protocol HTTP, searches, multimedia, impressions, etc. In summary, from Advanced Options you have the power to activate functions related to browser accessibility, graphics, security, among others.

Tips for a faster Internet in Windows 8

We all want a fast and smooth Internet connection, but many times there are a series of settings that may be obstructing your navigation. Most applications or elements of your system may be constantly updating, which consumes a significant part of the bandwidth, generating inconveniences when browsing smoothly. Therefore, we bring you a series of simple tips that will allow you to have a faster Internet.

Applies to all versions of Windows that you have installed, but in this case we will focus on W8:

Delete background apps

To avoid overloading your computer, it is always an excellent idea remove all those apps that are running in the background. It is especially recommended when the computer no longer has many resources such as memory RAM or CPU. To the remove apps in the background, what you do is free up some of the RAM and thus you save resources and the fluidity of the device is much better.

To eliminate them you have to:

Open Start of Windows.
At the bottom left of Start, select the button Setting It has a gear symbol.
Go to Privacy.
Then, in the left bar, enter the section Background apps.
Once there, You can deactivate the ones you don't want to run. You can also simply disable them all.

Measure internet speed

Many times the problems of slowness to execute certain tasks are not precisely due to something with the equipment, but rather with the service of Internet. Therefore, we recommend measure internet speed with the help of a speed test.

Thanks to this tool, you can know if you really enjoy the connection you have contracted or if something is wrong with it. Some data that is reflected there is the download speed, upload speed, theoretical speed, latency and ping, etc. Use our speed test to find out all the details about your Internet!

Use an updated browser

Regardless of the browser you use, it is always important keep it updated because it is the main communication window between the Internet user and the network every day. Through updates old version vulnerabilities are avoided, as well as the correction of problems.

Other than that, keep in mind that it's not just about keeping the Web navigator you use, but also the extensions and Applications associated with it. In this way, you will get more speed and comfort when browsing the Internet.

Disable Windows Update

With this advice, you will prevent updates from being automatically searched and downloaded when you don't want it.

In this sense, you can choose three different options:

Download all updates available.
Inform you about available updates and select which one you want to download.
To block everything.

Whichever option you prefer, the step by step to follow to configure this section is:

Open Control Panel (Windows + I + Enter).
Go to Windows update.
On the left side select in Change settings.

Remove unnecessary programs

At first glance it might seem that this does not affect, but actually the presence of unnecessary programs on your computer can cause the fluency while working with your computer to be affected. Consequently, it is very important eliminate all those programs that you don't really use.

To achieve this, you have to do the following: