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Step 8 - How to Install Mozilla Firefox
Change your web browser
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This step is much easier to accomplish than many people realise. A web browser is simply a way to view the world wide web. In the past, all Windows computers have been purchased with the default web browser from Microsoft - Internet Explorer. Most people don't know that they have a free and easy alternative to this. All you need to do is point your Internet Explorer browser to the appropriate download page of your chosen browser. Installation is quick and easy.
I recommend that you stop using Internet Explorer and replace it with any one of the alternative browsers mentioned below. It only takes a few minutes and then your Internet connection will become much faster and more friendly with far less popups and other unwanted intrusions. Most browsers achieve the same things in very similar ways but I urge you to
download Mozilla Firefox
for the best all round web surfing experience.
Will it be hard to learn to use a new browser?
Only if you are completely new to the world of computing and the Internet. Even if this is the case, a web browser is one of the easiest Windows programs to learn. Some are easier than others. If you are already using Internet Explorer you will find it remarkably easy to switch to a new browser like Firefox. The basics of web browsers are the same - you have an address bar at the top where you can input URL's, a Back button, a Forward button, Favourites, Tabs and Menu Options. Most if not all of these are probably familiar to you already. The behaviour and screen positioning of these items is very similar accross all the popular browsers.
What about my custom settings like favourites and cookies?
This is not a problem. When you install a new browser you are normally asked by the setup process if you want to import custom settings from Internet Explorer. So you lose nothing.
Can I use more than one web browser?
Yes you can. Web developers and web masters often do this because they need to test out new web pages to make sure they look the same and work correctly between different browsers. You can easily swap between different browsers. It is even possible to run all of the browsers mentioned on this page simultaneously. However, most people will find just one is more than adequate.
What are the choices of browser?
What are the choices of browser?
What are the choices of browser?
What are the choices of browser?
What are the choices of browser?
There are several big players in the browser market. The most popular browsers are discussed below.
Microsoft Internet Explorer - IE8
Amazingly this browser is still number one most popular browser in the world, despite numerous security holes, hacker attacks and bad press. The only possible explanation for this "popularity" must be the fact that it is bundled with every Microsoft Windows operating system. IE8 currently has the lions share of the market - about 23%. That figure does not include users who are still using older versions of Internet Explorer, such as IE6 and IE7. If all versions are included, the figure rises to about 65%. SpringCleanPC.com strongly recommends that you do not use Microsoft Internet Explorer to browse the Internet.
Mozilla Firefox
download
The preferred browser of many (including me). The number one non-Microsoft browser. It is faster, safer and far more user-friendly than IE. It has been for several years. End of story. So why do so many people worldwide still use Internet Explorer? So many people do not realise how much better the alternatives are. That staggering global ignorance of technology is one of the reasons I was prompted to create this web site. Firefox has about 26% of the browser market. During 2009, the adoption rate of Firefox has steadily increased and overtaken that of IE8. This is an astounding achievment when one considers that IE is shipped with every new Windows computer.
Google Chrome
download
The new kid on the block. Contains some innovative features and looks cool. Has less than 4% of the browser market (because it's new). Looks set to one day challenge Firefox for 2nd place.
Apple Safari
download
This browser was originally developed for the Apple Mac. The Windows version of the Apple Safari browser has had a chequered history. The latest offering (version 4) looks better and stronger than ever and has some similarities to Google Chrome, although I cannot personally see any advantages over Chrome. I can see that Safari might be useful for people who are familiar with web browsing on an Apple Mac. Has just under 4% of the browser market.
Opera
download
This browser has developed a good reputation for being fast, compact and feature-rich. I had a quick look at Opera version 10 and it looks very good. My personal choice is still with Firefox. Opera has a very small 2% of the browser market. This may be due to not having the big online marketing strategies of other browsers.
How To Install Firefox
If you haven't already downloaded Firefox, you will find a link to the latest version on this Mozilla page -
download it now. .
When finished, locate the downloaded file called something like " Firefox Setup 3.6.3 " and double-click to run it. Accept all defaults for now but make sure you choose to import all settings from your existing browser.
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