Updating Internet Explorer is easy peasy!
My new tech guy is super duper, but he’s not sure he can make BargainBabe.com accessible in Internet Explorer 7 and 8, which draws a blank page instead of the homepage. (We have resolved this problem for those of you using IE9 or IE10).
I really wish I could wave my hand, say “Sha-zaaam!” and make this problem go away. But I cannot.
So what’s the solution?
Please, pretty please, update your Internet Explorer software.
Let’s break it down.
- Roughly 24% of BargainBabe.com readers access the site with IE
- Within that 24%, a third of you are using IE7, IE7, or IE8.
- That’s 8% of readers overall – who are drawing a big, annoying white page instead of the BargainBabe.com homepage!
I can only image how frustrating that white space must be!
So here are easy and detailed instructions on how to update your IE software. Remember…
- It’s free
- The software is safe to download (make sure to use the link I provided below – I vetted it)
- You won’t receive any spam (any more than you already do)
- It takes about 12 minutes
Note: If you use Windows XP, you will not be able to download anything more current than IE8. If you want IE9, you have to pay for newer software. If you don’t want to shell out any cash (and I would suggest you do not) what you can do is download a different browser: Google Chrome, Safari (if you have a Mac), or Firefox. Here are safe places to download each:
Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new-b/?utm_expid=65789850-8
Chrome: https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/
Safari: http://www.apple.com/safari/
Here’s how to update your Internet Explorer software.
1. Go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/download-ie
Note: It is safest to update IE only from Microsoft, which makes the IE software. Lots of other sites (some of them legit) offer IE updates, but it’s not as safe as getting the updates directly from Microsoft.
2. Click on the “Download Internet Explorer 9” button. (You may want to unclick the button that makes Bing and MSN your defaults.)
3. A small box will open up asking if you want to save the file IE9-WindowsVista-x86-enu.exe. Click Save File.
4. Your computer will begin to download the software file. Give it a few minutes. When it is finished, the file should appear in your downloads. Close everything else open on your computer, except for your downloads folder. Then double click the file you just downloaded, IE9-WindowsVista-x86-enu.exe. This allows the file to run on your computer, updating your older version of IE to IE9, the newest free version (IE10 requires you to buy Windows 8 for $40.)
5. When the file has finished running, restart your computer. Ta da!!!!
You’re all set to use IE9 and read BargainBabe.com – without any annoying blank pages!
Did you run into any stumbling blocks? Leave a comment!
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I don’t use Internet Explorer, as there have been too many problems with it in the past. I use Google Chrome. Hope that will work with your links!
I forgot to mention that I also use Safari with my Mac-mini.
@EllieD Yay! You shouldn’t have any problems opening links from the daily BargainBabe.com email or viewing the site.
I haven’t had any major problems viewing your site, just the minor ones that everyone seems to encounter now and then.
I use Mozilla Firefox but I get weird text instead of the photos or graphics. Is that a problem with Firefox?
@Terri Layne Hmmm, I haven’t heard of anyone having problems viewing the site using Firefox. I myself use Firefox and haven’t had any issues. Perhaps your computer needs more time to render the images and graphics? Do the photos eventually show up? Has this happened on any other sites? What version of Firefox are you using? THANKS! The extra info will help me diagnose the problem and find a solution for you.
Users with WindowsXP cannot get the most current version of IE. So what do you suggest they do? Buy a new computer just to access your site?
@Paula No! Buying a new computer to view one website would not be a very savvy spending move, though I am flattered that you’d even consider it. I didn’t realize when I wrote this post that Windows XP does not allow a version of IE more current than 8. If you want 9, you have to pay for newer software.
But what you can do is download a different browser: Google Chrome, Safari (if you have a Mac), or Firefox. Here are safe places to download each:
Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new-b/?utm_expid=65789850-8
Chrome: https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/
Safari: http://www.apple.com/safari/
I will update the post with this info. Let me know what you decide to do!
Glad to hear that Chrome will work as I already have that on my computer. Thanks for responding!
Hi Yazmin,
For those who are still using WIN XP, IE-8 is the highest version of IE they can download.
@Marie I’m aware. BB wrote this post. You can find the byline next to the date the post was published.
@Marie Thanks for letting me know. I didn’t realize this fact when I wrote the post. I’m going to update the post so others can skip this step if they have Windows XP.
Here is what you can do in the meantime. Download a different browser, such as Google Chrome, Safari (if you have a Mac), or Firefox.
Here are safe places to download each:
Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new-b/?utm_expid=65789850-8
Chrome: https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/
Safari: http://www.apple.com/safari/
I will update the post with this info. Let me know what you decide to do!