Introduction:

A web browser is a software application that helps a user to display and interact with the text, images, and other information typically located on a web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network.

Web browsers communicate with web servers primarily using HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) to fetch web pages.

Microsoft Internet explorer is one of the most commonly used software program that is available on majority of computers using the windows Operating system. Internet Explorer is called as an internet browser because it allows one to explore the web pages and surf the internet. Microsoft Internet Explorer is not the only Internet browser available. There are many other browsers available in the market today.

The recent discovery of major security exploits in Internet Explorer has resulted in other browsers now finding its way in homes and offices all around the world. Also the features available with Internet Explorer have stagnated in the recent years while many other browsers have overtaken it in terms of the features and the advanced functionality they offer. The tabbed interface feature which helps you move from one page to another in one window and voice-activated menu systems have resulted in other browsers like Opera, MyIE and Mozilla FireFox finding much more precedence for day-to-day web browsing.

This how-to guide discusses the ways and things to keep in mind while switching to a different internet browser.

Switching to a new browser

Switching to an alternative browser is not that difficult. The simplest way is to download the browser from the Web site of the manufacturer and install it on your computer. Netscape, Opera and Firefox are browsers that can be freely downloaded and installed on the PC. You just need to follow the instructions for download and install the new browser.

If you already have Internet Explorer installed, then at the time of installation of a new browser the software will ask you if you want to transfer your Favorites and other information from Internet Explorer to the new program. Most of the other browsers will help you make the switch from Internet Explorer to their browser program without any major problems.

While switching to Opera, Netscape, or Firefox you will be given the option of importing your Internet information to the new browsers.

Opera allows you to import bookmarks or favorites, contacts and e-mail from other programs. To import bookmarks or favorites go to the File menu in Opera as shown in the screen shot below. Choose Import and export, and then select the program you want to import from. The bookmarks will then be added to the default Opera bookmarks.