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14 Handy Browser Tips and Tricks

No matter which browser you use, there are some tips and tricks that will make your internet experience better. Not only will they make using the computer easier, but some of these tricks can increase your productivity. Whether you use Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Chrome, these 11 browser tips and tricks are ones everyone should know.

  1. Alt + Tab
    If you open browser windows and applications at the same time, this tip is for you. When you hold down "Alt" and press "Tab," you can switch between your browser and open apps without using your mouse. Give it a shot!
  2. Ctrl + Tab
    If you have multiple tabs open in your browser, you may find it a hassle to switch between windows. When you hold down "Ctrl" and press "Tab," you can click through your tabs without using your mouse.
  3. Homepage Setup
    Setting your homepage is different for every browser. To set up your browser on Firefox, just click the three lines at the top right of your screen. From there, choose “Options” and type in the hyperlink of your desired homepage. Chrome is much the same. Click on the menu button at the top right and select “Settings.” Under "On startup," select “Open a specific page or set of pages,” then enter the web address of the page you want. Finally, for Internet Explorer, go to "Tools" and click on "General." Under "Homepage" type the address for your desired homepage.
  4. Ctrl + T
    If you want to open a new tab quickly, you can do so without using the mouse. Hold down the "Ctrl" button and press "T" once. This action will open a new browser tab. If you want to open multiple new tabs, simply press "T" more than once.
  5. "www."
    When you're typing an address in the web address box, you no longer need to type the "www" part of a web page. For example, if you're trying to get to Google, simply type "google.com," and for Yahoo, you would type "yahoo.com."
  6. Ctrl + a Link
    When you want to open a link, but you don't want to navigate away from the page that you're on, you’ve probably been right-clicking and selecting "Open page in a new tab." That step isn’t necessary. Simply hold down "Ctrl" and click the link, and the page will open in a new tab.
  7. Ctrl + Shift + N or P
    If you're looking to buy someone an amazing gift, but you don't want him or her to see what you're buying, you can use incognito mode. It will keep the website from showing up on your browser history. For Chrome, hold down "Ctrl" and "Shift" and press "N." For Firefox, press "Ctrl," "Shift," and "P." Note: This shortcut hides nothing from your internet service provider or workplace.
  8. F5
    If you want to refresh your page and cannot find the refresh button, just press F5. It's at the top row of your keyboard. F5 will refresh the tab or window without having to click on the button. It's especially useful for quick reloads.
  9. Increase Font Size
    For those who have trouble reading small text on a computer screen, you can quickly make the web page larger without any additional tools. Most computer mice have a wheel in the center. Hold down “Ctrl” and push the wheel forward or away from you. The text will grow larger, making it easier for you to read.
  10. Ctrl + F4
    Keyboard shortcuts are the best, right? "Ctrl + F4" is one of the best tips available. This combination will close any tab you have open on your browser—just one. This shortcut closes windows quickly and without hassle.
  11. Restore Your Favorites Bar 
    In Internet Explorer, you can sometimes accidentally remove your Favorites bar. Don’t worry—restoring it is easy. To restore your Favorites bar, navigate to “Tools” by right-clicking the star on the top right of the screen. If you’ve hidden the Favorites bar, there will be no checkmark next to it. Simply click “Favorites bar,” and a checkmark will indicate that the bar is showing. Another way to restore it is by right-clicking the star at the top of the browser. To show the toolbar, just select “Favorites bar,” and it should appear immediately.
  12. Viewing/Deleting/Searching Your Browser History
    Going into your browsing history can seem a little complicated, especially when your browser has had a recent update. The easiest way to get to your browser history is by holding “Ctrl” and pressing “H.” This shortcut should open your history in most browsers. Here, you can view every site you've visited. To search your history, your browser should have a search bar at the top with a little magnifying glass. Enter a keyword you remember from the website, and it will display every site containing that keyword. 

    You can delete your browser history in two ways. The first way, you can clear what you've viewed in the history menu itself. For example, Chrome has an option at the top called “Clear browsing data.” You can clear it from the last hour, day, week, month, or all of it. Another way you can clear your history is by going into your Control Panel and clicking “Network and Internet.” From there, you can click “Clear browsing history and cookies.” This process will pull up your internet properties. Then click the “General” tab and press “Delete” under the browsing data section. 

  13. Restoring the Menu Bar
    Occasionally the menu bar can go missing and cause problems. You may not be able to open a new window or edit your settings. This issue is common with Internet Explorer. To fix this problem temporarily, you can press the “Alt” button. If you want a permanent solution, go to Internet Explorer’s "Tools." From that point, select “Toolbars,” and finally, click “Menu Bar.” Alternatively, if you want to hide the menu bar, you can go through this process again.

  14. Enabling Cookies
    Cookies collect a small amount of information from you and allow a website to tailor to you. They’re an essential part of many websites, so if cookies are turned off, there can be problems with the site. If your cookies have somehow been disabled, you can easily enable them again. 

    For Internet Explorer, go to “Tools” and click the “Privacy” tab. Under settings, you can choose to enable all cookies. For Chrome, you enable cookies by going into “Settings” and clicking “Show advanced settings” at the bottom of the page. Finally, under “Privacy” click “Content settings,” and then choose which cookies you wish to enable. Firefox allows you to edit cookie settings by going into “Preferences” and clicking “Privacy.” From there, you can set your computer to allow all cookies or only some. Then select “OK” to save these settings.

Last Updated: February 18, 2016