Installing ActiveX Control

Internet Explorer uses ActiveX controls as browser plug-ins. ActiveX controls extend Internet Explorer with support for running other types of content on the Web, such as Adobe Flash movies and Oracle Java applets. However, some ActiveX controls are malicious. You should only install an ActiveX control in Internet Explorer if you trust the website it's from and you know what it's for. Other Web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Apple Safari don't use ActiveX controls and have their own plug-in format.

Instructions

1. Navigate to a website that wants to install an ActiveX control in Internet Explorer.

2. Click the "To help protect your security, Internet Explorer has restricted this webpage from running scripts or ActiveX controls" banner that appears at the top of the Web page and click "Allow Blocked Content."

3. Click the "This website wants to install the following add-on" banner that appears at the top of the Web page and click "Install."

4. Install the ActiveX control by following the instructions on your screen.

Tips & Warnings

• If the banners don't appear at the top of the page, ActiveX controls may be disabled in Internet Explorer. Reset your security settings to the default settings by clicking "Tools," clicking "Internet Options," clicking the "Security" tab, clicking the "Internet" icon, clicking the "Default Level" button and clicking "OK."

References

• Microsoft: Should I Install ActiveX Controls?
• Adobe: Troubleshoot Flash Player Installation | Windows