Top 11 Internet Explorer Addons - Enhance Your Browser

Enhancing Internet Explorer: Essential Add-ons

For users who continue to utilize Internet Explorer (IE), this article presents a selection of browser extensions designed to improve its functionality and usability, beyond the standard Google Toolbar.

Prioritized Add-on: IE7Pro

(1) IE7Pro, compatible with Internet Explorer 7, is a comprehensive tool. While it may require an adjustment period, its benefits are substantial. It integrates a robust tab manager, ad and Flash blocking capabilities, crash recovery features, a proxy switcher, a web accelerator, and a user agent switcher.

Furthermore, IE7Pro offers webpage capture functionality, Greasemonkey script support, a Firefox-style inline search, and a spell checker, among other enhancements.

Media and Content Management

(2) LeechVideo allows for the convenient downloading of videos from popular platforms such as Youtube, Google Video, and DailyMotion. Alternative options include: Viloader | Video Downloader.

(5) Convert with Zamzar integrates a web-based file conversion service directly into your browser. This allows for quick conversion and download of files from websites, such as transforming a YouTube video into a Windows Media Player compatible format or a Flickr image into JPEG.

Improved Browsing Experience

(3) Inline Search adds an in-page search function to Internet Explorer. Activation is achieved using the 'CTR+F' key combination, launching the search in the browser window's lower-left corner.

(4) ShareThis facilitates the rapid sharing of webpages, images, or videos via email to contacts (including Gmail, Myspace, and Facebook) or posting updates to Facebook and Myspace profiles.

(6) Browster introduces link preview functionality. When searching on Google, Yahoo, or MSN, or visiting popular websites, an icon appears next to each link. Hovering over the icon displays a preview of the destination page. Cooliris is another alternative.

(8) ieSpell enables spell-checking within text input boxes on any webpage, including webmails, forum posts, and blog comments.

Productivity and Security

(7) FeedsPlus, designed for Internet Explorer 7, enhances feed reading with features like a combined view and pop-up notifications for new items.

(9) McAfee Site Advisor (compatible with IE 5.5 - 6.0) is a lightweight security add-on that provides:

• Protection against adware, spyware, spam, viruses, and online scams.
• Website safety assessments indicated by a colored button within the browser.
• Safety ratings displayed alongside search results.

(10) IeSessions allows users to save their current browser session – all open windows and tabs – to a file for later restoration. This is particularly useful when switching between multiple computers, such as at the office and at home.

Streamlined Video Search

(11) Videoronk (only IE 7) enabled simultaneous searching across eight popular video-sharing websites, including Youtube, Google Video, Vimeo, and DailyMotion. (Note: This add-on is no longer available).

Essential Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts

For those who continue to utilize Internet Explorer, a collection of frequently used shortcuts has been compiled. These shortcuts are designed to enhance user efficiency and significantly reduce the time spent navigating the browser.

Boosting Productivity with IE Shortcuts

A printable reference sheet containing these Internet Explorer shortcuts is available for download. This resource allows for quick access and easy memorization of the key commands.

Benefits of Utilizing Keyboard Shortcuts

• Increased Speed: Execute commands faster than using a mouse.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Streamline your browsing experience.
• Time Savings: Reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks.

Mastering these keyboard shortcuts will undoubtedly improve your overall productivity while using Internet Explorer. The downloadable sheet provides a convenient way to learn and implement these time-saving techniques.