How to Fix Your Toolbar on Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer is the default web browser included on all computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. The Internet Explorer toolbar is the menu bar at the top of the browser screen that contains Internet Explorer's navigational buttons, as well as additional add-on customizations from third-party developers. Occasionally, the Internet Explorer toolbar experiences problems. Learn how to fix your toolbar on Internet Explorer to correct these errors and restore your browser's capabilities.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Reboot the computer to reset the operating system's software cache. Click the "Start" menu in the lower left-hand corner of the screen and select "Restart."

2. Click the "Start" menu again after the computer has finished restarting.

3. Select "Run" (if you are using Windows XP or earlier) and type "inetcpl.cpl" in the Open box. Press "Enter." If you are using Windows Vista, type "inetcpl.cpl" in the "Start Search" box. This launches the Internet Options window.

4. Click "Advanced" at the top of the Internet Options window.

5. Click "Reset Internet Explorer settings." This will reset the installation file for the Internet Explorer browser. Resetting the browser returns the Internet Explorer software to its original settings and removes all customizations, custom preferences and third-party software add-ons. Resetting also restores the original file that controls the Internet Explorer toolbar, correcting any toolbar errors or problems you may be experiencing.

6. Reinstall any third-party toolbar applications that have been removed. To prevent a recurrence of toolbar errors, reinstall each program one at a time, and test the browser after each installation to determine if the third-party add-on was the original cause of your toolbar problems.