Browser
Alternatively referred to as a web browser or Internet browser, a browser is a software program created as a simplified means to present and explore content on the World Wide Web. These pieces of content, including pictures, videos, and web pages, are connected using hyperlinks and classified with URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers).
There have been many different web browsers that have come and gone over the years. The first, named WorldWideWeb (later changed to Nexus), was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990. However, the first graphical browser and widely used browser that help bring popularity to the Internet was NCSA Mosaic.
List of current Internet browsers.
Where can I download a different browser?
What happens when you first open a browser?
What is needed for a browser to work?
Getting around in a browser.
Overview of browser bar buttons, menus, and functions.
What is my browser and other system information?
Related browser pages.
Internet browsers help and support.
List of current Internet browsers
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Opera
Apple Safari
Amazon Silk
Where can I download a different browser?
Note
The following links open in a new window. Once downloaded, you'll need to open your download folder and start the install for the browser to be installed on your computer.
Google Chrome - https://www.google.com/chrome
Mozilla Firefox - https://www.mozilla.com/firefox
Opera - https://www.opera.com
Apple Safari - https://www.apple.com/safari
Tip
As long as your computer supports the browser requirements, your computer can have more than one (or all) of the above browser installed and even running at the same time.
What happens when you first open a browser?
When you first open your Internet browser, it will load your homepage or show a start screen with your favorite pages. Once open, you can browse the Internet by following any of the hyperlinks or use a search engine to search for what you would like to find.
Note
If you changed your browser settings, it may also open the last opened web pages or all the tabs you had opened when it was last closed.
What things to do when bored on the Internet?
What is needed for a browser to work?
A browser needs a computer, smartphone, or tablet that meets the system requirements and that has a working Internet or intranet connection that allows it to connect to other computers.
Getting around in a browser
Each browser has a navigation toolbar that helps you find your way around the Internet. As seen in the images below, the navigation toolbar has undergone significant changes to streamline its appearance and functionality. However, the toolbar is likely never going to lose the navigation arrows and address bar.
Overview of browser bar buttons, menus, and functions
As we mentioned in the previous section, over time, many Internet browser buttons and options have either been moved or done away with completely. Consequently, some of the options mentioned below may not be immediately visible on your browser.
Tip
In certain browsers, pressing the Alt key on your keyboard shows hidden options.
Settings (menu)
Nearly all modern browsers today have moved advanced options and features in the upper-right or left corner of the browser window. Each browser's menu button is different:
For example, Internet Explorer uses , Chrome uses , Firefox uses , and Opera uses .
How to access Internet browser settings.
Back
The back button visits the previous page that referred you to the page you are currently viewing. This button often resembles an arrow pointing to the left.
Why does my Internet back button sometimes not work?
Creating an HTML back button.
Forward
The forward button moves you forward a page. It only works if you have previously used the back button. If you have not gone back, and your browser shows a forward button, it will be grayed out.
Stop
The stop button no longer exists in the majority of modern web browsers. However, its function (to stop a web page from loading) may still be executed by pressing the Esc key.
Refresh (reload)
As you browse the Internet the browser cache's data it downloads, meaning they store some or all parts of each page you visit on your computer. This feature is useful as it allows users to not have to download the full page each time they visit the same site. On some sites, you may want to refresh the page to get the latest version (e.g., on a news site). The Refresh button can also be used to reload a page that has failed to load because of an error.
Tip
Press the F5 key or Ctrl+R to refresh the page from the keyboard. If the F5 key is not working, you can also do a force reload by pressing Ctrl+F5 in Windows or on an Apple computer press command+R.
Home
The Home button is used to return users to their default web page; the same page that loads when the browser is first opened.
How to change my browser's homepage.
SearchIn the past, the Search button was used to open a user's default search page or execute a search on the text found in the address or URL text field. Today's browsers have what is called an omnibox, which is a search function built into the address bar.
FullscreenThis function is used to make the browser window a fullscreen; temporarily removing the toolbar, buttons, and address bar. Often, this view mode may be toggled on and off by pressing the F11 key on your keyboard.
HistoryThis feature allows users to view the pages that have been visited since the browser history was last cleared or created. All your saved pages are stored in your Internet cache.
How do I clear my Internet browser history?
Tip
The shortcut key for history for most browsers is Ctrl+H.
Favorites (bookmarks)This folder stores websites or pages chosen by the user. The term "Favorites" is used with Microsoft Internet Explorer; in other browsers this may be known as bookmarks or a hotlist.
How do I create an Internet favorite or bookmark?
PrintThis feature, although no longer a button and may be accessed through the main settings menu or pressing Ctrl+P on the keyboard.
How to print a web page.
Font (size)This button no longer exists but was used to increase or decrease the size of a font; an option now covered by the zoom feature.
ZoomOn modern browsers, holding down the Ctrl key and pressing either the "+" (plus key) or "-" (minus key) zooms in or out, increasing and decreasing the size of font and images. To reset the zoom function to its default size, press Ctrl+0 (zero) at the same time.
MailUsed to open a user's preferred e-mail program. Today, this option is no longer found in browsers.
EditUsed to open and edit the web page you are currently viewing in an HTML editor. Today, no longer found in browsers.
Related browser pagesHow do I clear my Internet browser history?
How to find version of installed Internet browser.
How to determine your browser, browser version, and installed browser plugins.
How do I update my browser?
Can I have more than one Internet browser installed?
How do I enable or disable JavaScript in my browser?
History of the Internet.
Internet browsers help and support.
ActiveX, Address bar, BHO, Bookmark, Browse, Cookie, Cross-browser, Internet, Internet terms, Konqueror, Lynx, Mosaic, Netscape, Omnibox, Plug-In, SeaMonkey, Tabbed browsing, Web, Web design terms
Alternatively referred to as a web browser or Internet browser, a browser is a software program created as a simplified means to present and explore content on the World Wide Web. These pieces of content, including pictures, videos, and web pages, are connected using hyperlinks and classified with URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers).
There have been many different web browsers that have come and gone over the years. The first, named WorldWideWeb (later changed to Nexus), was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990. However, the first graphical browser and widely used browser that help bring popularity to the Internet was NCSA Mosaic.
List of current Internet browsers.
Where can I download a different browser?
What happens when you first open a browser?
What is needed for a browser to work?
Getting around in a browser.
Overview of browser bar buttons, menus, and functions.
What is my browser and other system information?
Related browser pages.
Internet browsers help and support.
List of current Internet browsers
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Opera
Apple Safari
Amazon Silk
Where can I download a different browser?
Note
The following links open in a new window. Once downloaded, you'll need to open your download folder and start the install for the browser to be installed on your computer.
Google Chrome - https://www.google.com/chrome
Mozilla Firefox - https://www.mozilla.com/firefox
Opera - https://www.opera.com
Apple Safari - https://www.apple.com/safari
Tip
As long as your computer supports the browser requirements, your computer can have more than one (or all) of the above browser installed and even running at the same time.
What happens when you first open a browser?
When you first open your Internet browser, it will load your homepage or show a start screen with your favorite pages. Once open, you can browse the Internet by following any of the hyperlinks or use a search engine to search for what you would like to find.
Note
If you changed your browser settings, it may also open the last opened web pages or all the tabs you had opened when it was last closed.
What things to do when bored on the Internet?
What is needed for a browser to work?
A browser needs a computer, smartphone, or tablet that meets the system requirements and that has a working Internet or intranet connection that allows it to connect to other computers.
Getting around in a browser
Each browser has a navigation toolbar that helps you find your way around the Internet. As seen in the images below, the navigation toolbar has undergone significant changes to streamline its appearance and functionality. However, the toolbar is likely never going to lose the navigation arrows and address bar.
Overview of browser bar buttons, menus, and functions
As we mentioned in the previous section, over time, many Internet browser buttons and options have either been moved or done away with completely. Consequently, some of the options mentioned below may not be immediately visible on your browser.
Tip
In certain browsers, pressing the Alt key on your keyboard shows hidden options.
Settings (menu)
Nearly all modern browsers today have moved advanced options and features in the upper-right or left corner of the browser window. Each browser's menu button is different:
For example, Internet Explorer uses , Chrome uses , Firefox uses , and Opera uses .
How to access Internet browser settings.
Back
The back button visits the previous page that referred you to the page you are currently viewing. This button often resembles an arrow pointing to the left.
Why does my Internet back button sometimes not work?
Creating an HTML back button.
Forward
The forward button moves you forward a page. It only works if you have previously used the back button. If you have not gone back, and your browser shows a forward button, it will be grayed out.
Stop
The stop button no longer exists in the majority of modern web browsers. However, its function (to stop a web page from loading) may still be executed by pressing the Esc key.
Refresh (reload)
As you browse the Internet the browser cache's data it downloads, meaning they store some or all parts of each page you visit on your computer. This feature is useful as it allows users to not have to download the full page each time they visit the same site. On some sites, you may want to refresh the page to get the latest version (e.g., on a news site). The Refresh button can also be used to reload a page that has failed to load because of an error.
Tip
Press the F5 key or Ctrl+R to refresh the page from the keyboard. If the F5 key is not working, you can also do a force reload by pressing Ctrl+F5 in Windows or on an Apple computer press command+R.
Home
The Home button is used to return users to their default web page; the same page that loads when the browser is first opened.
How to change my browser's homepage.
SearchIn the past, the Search button was used to open a user's default search page or execute a search on the text found in the address or URL text field. Today's browsers have what is called an omnibox, which is a search function built into the address bar.
FullscreenThis function is used to make the browser window a fullscreen; temporarily removing the toolbar, buttons, and address bar. Often, this view mode may be toggled on and off by pressing the F11 key on your keyboard.
HistoryThis feature allows users to view the pages that have been visited since the browser history was last cleared or created. All your saved pages are stored in your Internet cache.
How do I clear my Internet browser history?
Tip
The shortcut key for history for most browsers is Ctrl+H.
Favorites (bookmarks)This folder stores websites or pages chosen by the user. The term "Favorites" is used with Microsoft Internet Explorer; in other browsers this may be known as bookmarks or a hotlist.
How do I create an Internet favorite or bookmark?
PrintThis feature, although no longer a button and may be accessed through the main settings menu or pressing Ctrl+P on the keyboard.
How to print a web page.
Font (size)This button no longer exists but was used to increase or decrease the size of a font; an option now covered by the zoom feature.
ZoomOn modern browsers, holding down the Ctrl key and pressing either the "+" (plus key) or "-" (minus key) zooms in or out, increasing and decreasing the size of font and images. To reset the zoom function to its default size, press Ctrl+0 (zero) at the same time.
MailUsed to open a user's preferred e-mail program. Today, this option is no longer found in browsers.
EditUsed to open and edit the web page you are currently viewing in an HTML editor. Today, no longer found in browsers.
Related browser pagesHow do I clear my Internet browser history?
How to find version of installed Internet browser.
How to determine your browser, browser version, and installed browser plugins.
How do I update my browser?
Can I have more than one Internet browser installed?
How do I enable or disable JavaScript in my browser?
History of the Internet.
Internet browsers help and support.
ActiveX, Address bar, BHO, Bookmark, Browse, Cookie, Cross-browser, Internet, Internet terms, Konqueror, Lynx, Mosaic, Netscape, Omnibox, Plug-In, SeaMonkey, Tabbed browsing, Web, Web design terms
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