How to reset the Windows Internet Options

The purpose of this procedure is to return the Windows Internet Options to safe or default values. The Internet Options dialog is available either from the Tools menu of Internet Explorer, or from the Control Panel. This is a useful procedure to use as a first step any time you are having networking difficulties. It has been my experience that this procedure alone will resolve most network-related issues. Once you have gained a little practice by performing this reset procedure a few times you will be able to repeat this process quickly and easily. It is well worthwhile making this procedure part of your computer repertoire.

Open Internet Explorer, Select Tools, select Internet Options.
An alternate means to open Internet Options is to open the Control panel:
- Windows XP: go to Start and open Control Panel. If you are in category view click Network and Internet Connections, then Internet Options. In classic view open Internet Options.
- Windows 2000: on your Desktop open My Computer, and then open Control Panel. In the Control Panel open Internet Options.
Yet another method is to go to Start, click run and type in "inetcpl.cpl" without the quotes, and hit the Enter key or click OK.

Note that the settings in Internet Options affect other networking programs besides Internet Explorer, and this procedure should be used even when you are using a browser other than Internet Explorer.
When the Internet Options dialog opens. the General tab will be selected.
- Select Delete Cookies... Click OK in the Delete Cookies window.
- Select Delete Files... In the Delete Files dialog check Delete all offline content and click OK.
- Select Clear History... Select Yes in the window that comes up.
Select the Security tab.
- Return each of the 4 Web content zones to its default value. Select each of the four Web content icons in turn, and in the Security level for this zone region select Default Level. (The Default Level button is grayed if the zone is already at its default level.
- Select the Trusted sites icon, then click the Sites... button. Examine the list of sites in the Web sites list. There should be only sites you know and trust in this list. Remove any entries you are unsure of by selecting them to highlight them and then clicking Remove. Some malware will place sites in this zone to circumvent your security measures. Look up any sites you are unsure of with Google. When finished close the Trusted sites dialog.
- Select the Restricted sites icon, then click the Sites... button. Examine the list of sites in the Web sites list. This list should contain only bad sites. Note that some malware may enter the addresses of security oriented sites in this list to hinder you in removing malware. Remove such sites from the list. When finished close the Restricted sites dialog.
Select the Privacy tab.
- If the Privacy slider is not set to Medium, click the Default button.
- While troubleshooting, uncheck Block pop-ups. You may wish to re-enable this after troubleshooting your problem.
Select the Content tab.
- While troubleshooting, make sure that the Content Advisor is off. When off, the Enable... button will be activated, and the Settings... button grayed. If the Disable... button is highlighted, click it. You will be required to enter a password. You may wish to re-enable the Content Advisor after the conclusion of troubleshooting.
Select the Connections tab.
- Examine the list of dialers, etc. in the Dial-up and Virtual Network Settings box. The usual content of this list is (at most) your ISP and VPN connections to your workplace. If you see anything in here you do not recognize check it out with Google. If it does not seem right, Remove it by highlighting it and selecting Remove. (Some malware will place dialers in the list with the intent of building up charges at 1-900 numbers.)
- Select LAN Settings... If you are in a work environment or on a domain, or are using a laptop which is used both at work and in other locales, check with your IT administrator with regards to the steps in this section.
- If you are using a home computer (on a workgroup, not on a domain) make note of the settings of the three checkboxes, and uncheck them if checked. If you currently have network connectivity, then click OK, Apply (if not grayed) and OK. Close Internet Explorer, then reopen it and verify that you still have connectivity. If not, return to Local Area Network (LAN)... window and restore the check boxes to their original state, and verify that you now have connectivity again.
Reopen the Internet Options dialog if necessary and select the Programs tab.
- Click Reset Web Settings...
Select the Advanced tab.
- If the Apply button is active, click it.
- Click the Restore Defaults... If any changes are made, the Apply button will become active, so click it. If any changes were made, we will have to restart the computer at the end of this procedure for them to take effect.
Click OK.
Close Internet Explorer. Many of the above changes will not take effect until Internet Explorer is closed and then reopened.
If any changes were made in step 8 above, restart your computer.