If you're using a Windows 8 (8.1) tablet, the last thing you need is a desktop browser that isn't designed for touch screens at all. Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome all offer a separate interface designed specifically for latest version operating system from Microsoft. And even the Windows Store has a few lesser-known browsers that have a touch-friendly interface.
Keep in mind that in order to access the "Windows 8-style" version of the browser, this browser must be set as the default program for opening web pages. In other words, if you want to use touch Firefox version, Firefox should be the default browser. The same goes for Internet Explorer and Chrome.
Internet Explorer 11
Internet Explorer 11 is included with Windows 8.1. Compared to the previous version of the browser that debuted with Windows 8, touch version IE 11 has gotten a lot better. For example, IE 11 allows you to keep an unlimited number of open tabs, while IE 10 is limited to only a dozen tabs.
Like much of the interface in Microsoft's new operating system, IE 11 is designed for touch screens. That's why while surfing it works in full screen mode, and there is not even a hint of elements of the classic desktop interface on the screen.
To view the tabbed panel, swipe up from the bottom. This will show thumbnails of open tabs. In addition, you can always go to the settings and enable the option there to make the tabbed panel always appear. This is especially useful when you need to regularly switch between open tabs. To go back and go to the next page in IE 11, the right and left swipe gesture is provided, and if you come across a page on which you need to hover over an element, just hold that element with your finger and the browser will simulate a hover. So IE 11 is also perfect for browsing pages that weren't designed with touch in mind.
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla's touch version of Firefox came out over a year ago. The interface of this version is still far from ideal, so you will not find it in stable builds of Firefox. Instead, you need to install the Firefox beta, launch it, and click "Restart Firefox in Windows 8 touch mode".
The Firefox touch home page consists of links to bookmarks and recently visited sites. Like Internet Explorer, this browser runs in full screen mode. The interface is also somewhat reminiscent of Internet Explorer 11, but this is Firefox.
The browser has a handy tab bar and navigation that you can access with just a swipe from the top or bottom of the screen. In addition, Firefox touch supports the Firefox Sync feature, which will be especially useful for those who use Firefox on other computers or Android devices. With this feature, browsing data will be available on all your devices.
Google Chrome
The search giant has already managed to make sure that Windows users 8 was a touch version of it Chrome browser. However, it is even more than just a browser. In fact, this is a full-fledged desktop, made in the style of the Chrome OS operating system, which allows you to work with multiple Chrome windows at once. You can even run apps like you would on a Chromebook. All in all, it's a completely different approach, but you might still want to give it a try.
To start Chrome in mode touch screen, click the Chrome menu button and select Restart Chrome in Windows 8 Mode. If you don't see this option, it's likely that Chrome's touch mode isn't currently compatible with your device. For example, Chrome does not currently support Surface Pro 2 or other devices with high dots per inch (DPI) displays.
Unlike Internet Explorer and Firefox, Chrome allows you to run browser add-ons inside its touch interface. At the same time, it cannot be said that Chrome for Windows 8 is a completely touch-optimized browser, like Internet Explorer and Firefox. Instead, Google just moved the desktop from Chrome OS to Windows. Thus, if you just want a full-screen browser to use on your tablet, Chrome won't be the ideal option for you.
Other browsers
Some developers offer their browsers through the Windows Store, which are based on the Internet Explorer rendering engine but have their own interface. Of all these browsers, perhaps the most popular is . It uses an engine from Internet Explorer 11 to render web pages; it even has a similar interface. So I don't see any reason to use UC Browser HD instead of apps from big players.
If you don't have a preference for any browser at all, I would recommend you use Internet Explorer 11 as Microsoft has put a lot of effort into making it the best browser for Windows 8 touch devices. On the other hand, if you've been using a desktop or smartphone version of Firefox/Chrome for a long time and you want your browsing data to sync with your Windows 8 tablet, it's best if you choose one of these two.
Have a great day!
Each browser has its own characteristics and features. Now the level of capabilities of various Internet browsers has almost leveled off, but sometimes you want to return to one of them where everything is familiar and familiar. For operating room Windows systems Internet Explorer is the default browser. If you have already changed the settings, use Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, you can return to using the usual program in just a few steps. All browsers are different, so it's important to know .
Installing Internet Explorer
If you reinstall a web browser on your computer, then the first time you start Internet Explorer, it will notify you that it is not the default browser. Immediately, the user will be prompted to fix it. To do this, click on the “yes” button. In addition, there is a line here that, each time the browser is launched, will determine whether Explorer program default. If you uncheck the box, the operation will not be performed. In this case, you will need to refer to the settings.
So, you need to take the following steps:
- Launch browser.
- Select "Tools" from the toolbar.
- In the menu that appears, click "Internet Options".
- Going to the “Programs” tab, we find the line “Default Web Browser”.
- Select "Set as default" in the menu and click OK.
In order to check which Internet browser is now the default, you should click on any link saved on your computer. It should open in Internet Explorer.
How to install Internet Explorer browser for Windows XP
Now let's take a closer look at how to make the Internet Explorer browser by default Windows XP. For this OS, it is better to use versions 9.0 or 10.0. You can, of course, install earlier versions of the program.
First of all, after you need to select the Internet settings. To do this, go to “Network and Internet” through the “Start” menu. Next, you need to select “Programs”, in which you click the line “Set the default program”.
Among the names of Internet browsers that appear, select the one you need, in this case it will be IE. The same operations are performed when you need to configure an Internet browser in Windows 7. The actual settings for XP and 7 versions of the operating system are similar.
If you sometimes want to use a different browser installed on your computer, just click on the desktop icon to open the program.
Features of Windows 8
Another thing to consider is how to make Internet Explorer the default browser in Windows 8. In previous versions of Windows, when you use alternative browsers, each time it says they are not the default browser. In this case, the user can leave or disable these alerts. This is not the case in Windows 8. In addition, IE is assigned by the browser not through “Internet Options”, but through the “Default Programs” menu. To access the interface, you need to go to the “File type associations” section and select “Configure association”.
In order to run Internet Explorer, a minimum RAM of 64 MB is required. But the more RAM, the faster it will work. How to increase volume random access memory you will learn from this. A high-resolution monitor and a powerful processor will help make using the program comfortable and convenient.
Now you know how to make Internet Explorer the default browser in Windows 7, 8 or XP. You can do this procedure at any time. Therefore, if you miss this Internet browser and its interface, you just need to download it to your computer and follow the appropriate steps in the settings.
Opera's blog posted a post titled "3 Ways to Set the Default Browser on Windows", which explains how to make Opera the default browser.
“Getting started with Opera is very easy, because we have made everything so that your transition from another browser does not cause any difficulties. You can automatically import your bookmarks and other settings and continue browsing the web from where you left off.On all versions of Windows except Windows 10, Opera is automatically set as the default browser during installation. But if you decide to change your default browser later, then you can do it in one of the following ways:
Through browser settings
This is perhaps the easiest way. Go to Settings Opera in the main menu and click "Install Opera browser default".
If you are using Windows 8 and 8.1, then you will see an additional system window showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Select the one you are interested in and confirm its setting as the default browser.In Windows settings
You can change the default programs, including browsers, in the system settings.
Windows 7 and earlier:
AT start menu select Control Panel. Then click Programs -> Default Programs -> Set Default Programs. Select Opera from the list of programs in the window that appears and click "Set this program as default".
Windows 8:
If the Control Panel icon is not attached to your screen, click Windows button Key and start typing "Control Panel". Once you have entered the panel, follow the same steps as for the previous one. Windows versions: Programs -> Default programs -> Set default programs. You will then be able to select a browser from the list.
Windows 10:
In this version of the OS, changing the default browser is a little more difficult. A few months ago, we published a separate post with instructions for Windows 10 users.
Via browser dialog
If Opera is not already your default browser, you will be prompted to set it as such in the Express Dial dialog box. Just say yes! :)
If you haven't joined the Opera family yet, we'd love to have you join us! We've got a bunch of cool new features coming to Opera for desktop this year."
