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Step by Step Internet 🌐 Guides for learning to surf the Net

Internet options in Windows 10, 8 and 7: What are they and what are they for?

Internet options in Windows 10

When it comes to surfing the Internet there are many factors that we should have controlled, for example the issue of temporary files, excessive cookies, control over the explicit content of web pages, even what will be the default browser.

Having direct control over these and other elements of the connection can be a bit tedious, is why many choose never to configure it. In addition, because some do not know how to get to the menu where this setting is located.

Fortunately Windows provides us with a very complete control panel on the options of this one, and in this article we will see in more detail what can be done from there and how to use it correctly.

What are the Windows Internet options and what are they for?

Internet options are all made up of a small control panel, which gives you total autonomy over the connection and navigation to the network.

In this you can manage all the parameters of the main browser of the computer. You can also configure with what type of navigation the different websites are accessed. As if that were not enough, it allows you to manage the security and privacy of the connection.

But later we will see in more detail what exactly we can do from this panel.

What aspects can you configure in the Microsoft Internet options?

There are many parameters that we can configure from here and these are divided into 7 main tabs:

“General” tab

Pestaña general

From here we can:

  • Choose the default homepage that will come out immediately let’s open the browser .
  • Decide if we want to restore the previous browsing session at start or just a new session.
  • We can delete the browsing history along with all personal data, or we can even choose to delete them whenever we close the session.
  • It is also possible to handle some customization parameters such as language, font type, or even colors.

“Security” tab

Pestaña seguridad

This section is very important because it allows us to correctly manage the security levels of 4 areas of Web browsing.

These 4 areas are:

  • Internet.
  • Local intranet.
  • Trusted sites.
  • Restricted sites.

Each of these types of Web content can be assigned a level of protection from the “Security” menu, to prevent damage to the equipment, our data and important accounts or filtration.

“Privacy” tab

Pestaña privacidad

From this section it is possible to block pages with pop-up advertisements, optimize browsing in private mode or incognito mode. As well as being able to almost zero the level of «Cookies» that are stored on the computer.

All these functions optimize the privacy of the connection, and one of the most important things is the possibility of being able to block specific web pages, to protect minors from explicit content.

If we know how to configure we can avoid the risks that exist when browsing with a public network.

Tab «Content»

Pestaña contenido

One of the strengths of this tab is that you can install public certificates, for web applications that lack them.

As the name implies from here you can manage and categorize all the content that we see on the different pages.

So that it is also possible through categorization, to establish parental control for explicit content from here, to avoid damaging the sensitivity of minors in the household with a certain publication.

Tab «Connections»

Pestaña conexiones

In this tab we can configure the Internet connection as such, either through a local area network with a router or portable Internet.

In addition, you can also add a proxy server and a VPN service. Similarly, manage networks from dial-up access or an operator in your country.

“Programs” tab

Pestaña programas

Since Internet options are directly from Windows, this option makes little sense nowadays, since the only browser that can be managed from this is “Internet Explorer”.

And as we know this is becoming increasingly obsolete, anyway if it is your desire from this part you can review and update its components.

«Advanced Options»

Pestaña opciones avanzadas

In this section we can activate multiple functions with respect to the browser accessibility, and all the advanced options on security, multimedia, graphics.

We can configure the options of the http protocols, the search parameters, as well as examine, activate and deactivate some components.

In W10

To enter these with a Windows 10 computer, we just have to locate ourselves in the lower right part of the screen, and in the connection icon we will right click.

  • Then we give you where it says «Open Network and Internet Settings».

Abrir configuración de red e Internet

  • Then we scroll down the menu until we find the option «Network and Sharing Center».

Centro de redes y recursos compartidos

  • Finally, we click on “Internet Options”, on the button located in the lower left corner.

Opciones de Internet

  • Immediately we will see the control panel of the Internet options.
  • Now we will make a small explanation about some of the parameters that we can modify to optimize the performance of this. This explanation is valid for the 3 versions that we are going to see.
  • The first thing is to go to the “Contents” tab, and just down at the option of «Fonts and Web Slices» will be given in clearlyConfiguration within.Desactivar fuentes y Web Slices
    • In the pop-up screen that will appear we must deactivate all the boxes that appear, this will help a bit with the speed of navigation.
    • Another of the few parameters that we can modify to increase browser performance, is the deletion of temporary files, for this we enter the tab GeneralGenerally.
    • Next, click on the “Delete” option located in the browsing history zone.

    Eliminar archivos temporales y Cookies 2

    • In the pop-up window, uncheck all options except “Temporary Internet files and Web site files” and “Cookies and website data”.

    Eliminar archivos temporales y Cookies 2

    In extreme cases you can also mark the history to delete it, but it is not highly recommended because with that information we have easy access to many pages on the Internet.

    In W8

    To open the Internet options in Windows 8, just just follow the same procedure we saw in Windows 10, as it is too similar in terms of interface.

    We only access the “Network and Sharing Center” and finally enter “Internet Options”.

    In W7

    On a Windows 7 computer, the process is even simpler, since just right-click on the Internet connections button and select the option «Open the network and sharing center».

    Abrir centro de redes y recursos compartidos

    • Subsequently, click on “Internet Options”, button in the lower left corner of the screen.

    Opciones de internet en windows 7