Internet Explorer 6

Designed for older computers and computers running older operating systems, Internet Explorer 6 lets you explore the web and visit all your favorite sites with ease.

As long as you have an internet browser and an internet connection, you can spend hours online. A good browser will let you visit all your favorite sites, search for new information, bookmark sites and check your email. While Chrome and Firefox are now the two leading web browsers, some people still love the simplicity of Internet Explorer. With IE 6, you can visit dozens of sites in the same day without missing a beat.

IE 6 has a simple and easy-to-use layout that includes tools at the very top of the screen. Clicking on edit will let you change the way your current page looks, and selecting the history button will let you view the sites you visited in the last few days or weeks. Buttons underneath that area move back, add a page to your favorites, bookmark a page or print the page. IE 6 also comes with an address bar that sits right above the current page.

When you first download IE 6, you'll find that Microsoft automatically places its home page as your own home page. Though you can select any page as your home page, using Microsoft makes it easier for you to do simple searches and find out more about Microsoft products. If you have a Microsoft account, you can even change the settings to keep you logged into that account every time you open and close the browser. It also comes with features designed for keeping your information secure while online and for keeping you from visiting sites with malware.

IE 6 comes with Outlook Express, which is a program that lets you check your email quickly. You'll need to log in with your existing account details or create a new account to use this program.

Many of the problems with Internet Explorer 6 relate to the age of the product. You can upgrade to IE 11 for free, which comes with new features. IE 6 does not let you open multiple tabs, and the software lacks the security features found on newer browsers. Alhough it's a good option for those running an older version of Windows, IE 6 cannot compete with newer versions of Firefox, Chrome or even Internet Explorer.

Pros:

• Basic web browser
• Suitable for older computers and those running older Windows systems
• Comes with some security features for protecting you online
• Allows private browsing sessions
• Includes Outlook Express for convenient checking of your email

Cons:

• Outdated version of Internet Explorer
• Does not work effectively on newer computers
• Lacks the security features you need while spending time online
• Cannot support multiple tabs
• Will slow down significantly after you open more than one window