Tech Talk: Windows 8.1 - Internet Explorer 11 (modeless version)

Windows 8.1 had improvements over its predecessor such as improved security, snazzier tools for favourites and synced settings. Moving forwards into Windows 10, Microsoft have dropped the Internet Explorer brand in aid of their Edge browser.

Windows IE 11 has two versions, the "modeless" app version, which is opened from the Start Screen or the Apps view, and the more traditional Desktop version.

The modeless app version adopts its name from being able to go full-screen without any borders and no visible option to close the application (at first). This is to allow much ease navigating around the web without any background distractions getting in the way of the experience, whether it is through a touch screen or the traditional click and go.

1. Web page
The display of the web page takes up this space once the page is loaded. There are options to go back and forward a page by swiping or clicking from the left or the right side of the screen.

2. Navigation tab
This shows a thumbnail of the page most visited or current page opened. Live tiles can be added which displays the current content in a thumbnail. Right click or hold a tab to bring up options to close the tab, duplicate or open the tab in a window (which comes up side-by-side immediately). Simply click/tap the cross to close the tab.

3. New tab
Click/tap to add a new tab. An unlimited amount of tabs can be opened as opposed to Internet Explorer 10 which could only open 10 tabs.

4. Tab tools
Options to go incognito for private browsing and to open the last closed tab.

5. Back button
Go back to the previous webpage.

6. Address bar
Type the address of the website that you wish to view. Suggestions may pop up or if accessed before, the website will come up above to access quickly. If synced with any other devices, the history will be displayed from the other device.

7. Go/Refresh button
This button is the "go" button if the webpage is being accessed or the "refresh" button if the webpage requires updating.

8. Tabs
Opens up a view of the current open tabs including thumbnails.

9. Favourites bar
View added favourites from devices such as phones (if synced) and add new content/webpages to favourites with a few clicks or add a webpage to the Start Screen. There is also an option to share the page through apps or a screenshot to the internet.

10. Tools

• Get app for this site - able to go the Windows App Store and locate the app for the website. Examples include eBay and River Island.
• Find on page - locate text(s) within the webpage
• Report website problems - send feedback to Microsoft if there is an issue on a particular URL.
• View on the desktop - view the page in the Desktop version of the browser.
• View downloads - see the last lot of downloads made through the browser
• Options - can be accessed via the Charms bar. It provides customisation to the overall experience such as how it reads (colours, fonts, etc.), zoom and showing of the address bar and tabs. Options to save passwords and access phone numbers from the browser can be turned on and off. The history can accessed here.

11. Forward
Cycle forwards through a series of pages. Only applicable if the back button has been used.