Downloading and Installing Web Browser Plugins

              Back

Instructions for Microsoft's Internet Explorer

Plugins are programs which add extra functionality to your Web browser.  This functionality is usually in the form of viewers which allow you to display applications from other vendors. For example, Internet Explorer does not normally know how to display applications written in Asymetrix ToolBook. By installing the Asymetrix Neuron plugin, Internet Explorer can display ToolBook applications without having to have the full version of ToolBook installed on your computer.

The procedure for installing plugins is pretty much the same for all plugins. It generally consists of: a) creating a folder to which you will download the plugin, b) downloading the plugin from a remote site, and c) installing the plugin. The following is an illustrated, step-by-step guide to installing plugins.

Special Note: Do not install plugins on a computer you do not own without first getting permission from the owner.  This is especially true of the computers in the labs on campus. Most of these computers have the important plugins already installed.  If you are uncertain, ask the laboratory supervisor.

Step 1:
Create a new folder using Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer) that will be used to temporarily store the plugin installation file. I recommend you call this folder "Temp" since the files stored in it can be deleted after the installation process is complete.

Step 2:
Click on the option for downloading the plugin and select "Save this program to disk" from the dialog box that appears. Click the OK button.

Step 3:
The next thing you will see is a dialog box like the one below asking you where you want to save the file that is about to be downloaded. Navigate within this dialog box to the "Temp" folder you created earlier and then click on Save.

Step 4:
As soon as the file download process is complete (this could take quite awhile, depending on the plugin), close your browser. Most installations for plugins will fail if you have your browser open because the installation process will attempt to alter certain settings for your browser.

Step 5:
What you have done up to this point is to download the plugin file, but it is not yet installed for use with your browser. To actually install the plugin, go to the "Temp" folder using Windows Explorer and double-click on the plugin filename.

This will launch the plugin installation routine. Follow the instructions on the screen for installing the plugin.  I recommend that you accept all the defaults settings during the installation.

Step 6:
As soon as the plugin installation process is complete, you can open your browser and begin using it. You will not notice anything different until you actually click on a link that requires the plugin. If you have additional plugins to install, go back to Step 2.