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Internet Explorer Information bar: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Information bar.
What is the Internet Explorer Information bar?
The Information bar is the place where Internet Explorer displays
information about security, downloads, blocked pop-up windows, and other
activities. It is located at the top of the webpage.
Internet Explorer Information bar
When will I see the Information bar?
If Internet Explorer is still using its original settings, you'll see the
Information bar in the following circumstances:
If a website tries to install an ActiveX control on your computer or run an
ActiveX control in an unsafe manner.
If a website tries to open a pop-up window.
If a website tries to download a file to your computer.
If a website tries to run active content on your computer.
If your security settings are below recommended levels.
If you access an intranet webpage, but have not turned on intranet address
checking. For more information, see Changing intranet security settings.
If you started Internet Explorer with add-ons disabled.
If you need to install an updated ActiveX control or add-on program.
The webpage address can be displayed with native language letters or symbols
but you don't have the language installed.
How do I use the Information bar?
When you see a message in the Information bar, click the message to see more
information or to take action.
Can I turn off the Information bar?
Yes, you can, but we don't recommend it. If you do want to turn it off, you
have to turn it off for each type of message.
To stop the information bar from blocking file and software downloads
Click to open Internet Explorer.
Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
Click the Security tab, and then click Custom level.
Do one or both of the following:
To turn off the Information bar for ActiveX controls, scroll to the ActiveX
controls and plug-ins section of the list, and then, under Automatic
prompting for ActiveX controls, click Enable.
To turn off the Information bar for file downloads, scroll to the Downloads
section of the list, and then, under Automatic prompting for file downloads,
click Enable.
Click OK, click Yes to confirm that you want to make the change, and then
click OK again.
Which messages are displayed in the Information bar?
The following table lists the messages that might appear in the Information
bar along with a description of what each message means.
Message
What it means
To help protect your security, Internet Explorer stopped this site from
installing an ActiveX control on your computer. Click here for options.
A webpage tried to install an ActiveX control and Internet Explorer blocked
it. If you want to install the ActiveX control, click the Information bar,
and then click Install Software. Because ActiveX controls are potentially
hazardous to your computer, you should be certain that you trust the
publisher of the ActiveX control before you decide to install it.
Pop-up blocked. To see this pop-up or additional options click here
Pop-up Blocker has blocked a pop-up window. You can turn Pop-up Blocker off
or allow pop-ups temporarily by clicking the Information bar.
This website is using a scripted window to ask you for information. If you
trust this website, click here to allow scripted windows.
Internet Explorer has blocked a website from using a small program (called
a script) to display a separate window. Hackers sometimes use scripted
windows to mimic legitimate windows, such as login screens, that appear on
websites. If you trust the website and want to allow the scripted window,
click the Information Bar, and then click Temporarily Allow Scripted
Windows. To always allow scripted windows, check the Allow websites to
prompt for information using scripted windows custom security setting.
To help protect your security, Internet Explorer blocked this site from
downloading files to your computer. Click here for options.
A webpage tried to download a file that you might not have requested. If
you want to download the file, click the Information bar and then click
Download File. Because files can contain software that can affect the
performance of your computer or access your information, you should be
certain that you know what the file contains and that you trust its
publisher before you download it.
Your security settings do not allow websites to use ActiveX controls
installed on your computer. This page may not display correctly. Click here
for options.
A webpage tried to use an ActiveX control or script but your security
settings did not allow it.
If you trust the publisher of the ActiveX control or script, you can allow
it to run by removing the website address from the Restricted sites list. If
the website is not on the Restricted sites list, you can add it to the
Trusted sites list. Fo
