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PC911 > How-To > Internet > Im-/Exporting Internet Settings

- Alex -

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If you are like most Internet surfers, you probably have decided which browser you like best and use it exclusively. But maybe you use different browsers, either on the same or on different PCs in different locations. Or maybe you frequently exchange bookmarks with somebody who uses a different browser. Either way, you do not want to have to write down every single bookmark and enter it by hand in the other browser.

Thankfully, there are some tools that make this procedure pretty painless. If you have Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, you can use the built-in Import and Export wizard. Open IE 5, go to the File menu and select Import and Export to start the wizard. You will be presented with a number of choices.

  • Import Favorites lets you choose a file or folder to import bookmarks into IE 5 from a different browser.
  • Export Favorites lets you export all or part of your IE 5 Favorites.
  • Import Cookies lets you choose a file or folder to import cookies into IE 5 from a different browser.
    (If you're not sure what cookies are, go to the Tech Dictionary to read more about cookies)
  • Export Cookies lets you export your IE 5 cookies.
This easy-to-use wizard makes it pretty easy to change between browsers. But what if you don't have IE 5? Don't despair, there is still a way. Microsoft has a neat little program that does exactly the same thing, it's just not built into IE 4 and earlier. You can download it here.

Ok, now what about e-mail? Can you also move e-mail settings, like address books, messages and account settings? Again, if you have Outlook Express 5, the latest free e-mail client from Microsoft, the answer is Yes. In the File menu of Outlook Express you will find an Import and an Export menu which will walk you through a few steps to exchange address books, messages and account settings with other e-mail programs such as Eudora and Netscape. For detailed steps for any of these procedures, check the Help menu in Outlook and type in importing or exporting, it actually walks you through the process.

- Alex -

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