How to Install ActiveX Components

ActiveX controls are small plug-ins designed to grant expanded functionality to Microsoft Internet Explorer in Windows 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP and Vista. A few basic ActiveX controls are preinstalled in the various versions of Internet Explorer, but there are thousands more that you may need at one time or another. Fortunately, Internet Explorer is capable of automatically recognizing when it needs a new ActiveX control to perform a requested function, and it prompts users to approve the download of the plug-in and its automatic installation.

Instructions

1. Launch Internet Explorer. You can do this by either double-clicking the desktop icon or clicking the "Start" button, pointing at the Programs folder and left-clicking the icon in the program list.

2. Browse the Internet as you normally would. Since ActiveX Controls are designed to be task-specific and they download and install quickly, there is no real benefit or need to download them until you need them. When you come across a website that requires an ActiveX control, you will see a pale yellow alert bar appear at the top of your Internet Explorer window. The bar should contain a request from the website to install an ActiveX control, and the name of the plug-in and the publisher that created it should be clearly displayed.

3. Click the yellow alert bar if you want to download the ActiveX control. The alert bar may contain text urging you to click the bar only if you trust the software publisher. Independent software developers unaffiliated with Microsoft can create ActiveX controls, so it is up to you to verify that the publisher and the website you're visiting are trustworthy. When you click the bar, you'll see a new window with a license agreement or request for action.

4. Accept the license or end-user agreement if you are presented with one. Some plug-ins may simply require you to click a "Start Download" button to initialize the installation. Once you approve it, the plug-in data will download automatically and then install automatically.

5. Wait for either the yellow bar to disappear or for an alert window to display with a notification that the ActiveX control has installed successfully. When you see either of these, the process is complete. There is no need to reboot the computer or restart Internet Explorer.

References

• Internet Explorer 6 for Dummies; Doug Lowe; 2001
• MSDN Microsoft: Introduction to ActiveX Controls