Creating a Searcher's Home Page
REVIEW Page

Below is the entire module on one page.

A woman organizes her filer by sticking them on the computer.

 

Customizing Your Browser.

When you start your Internet Browser, the first page that you see is called the 'home' page.  This is your starting place.  You can specify any page (including a blank page) as your browser homepage. 

Why not designate your favorite search engine as your home page?  The procedure varies slightly depending on your browser / computer configuration. 

The change is a simple one to make and can be easily undone. In this Micro Module we will explain how you can customize your homepage in both Internet Explorer and Netscape.

FAQs

Lady at a desk, beset with questions.

What is a 'default' homepage?

Think of 'default' as the factory settings or original configuration of your browser.  Software manufacturers usually offer default settings that point back to the manufacturer's corporate home. If you are using Netscape Navigator, the default is the Netscape Portal page (home.netscape.com). 

 

If you use Internet Explorer, your default is the Microsoft Network (MSN) home page (www.msn.com).   You can change the default to any page you want (including a blank page).

 

Screen shot of Google, with homepage emphasized.

Can I change my browser's homepage so it starts with my favorite search engine?

Your favorite search engine will appear automatically when you start your browser if you change the start up settings.  The process for changing the settings varies a bit between browsers.  Conceptually, they all work the same, you just tell the browser which page you want to designate as 'home' and make it so!  Once done, all you need to do is click the home icon or open a new page to be back at your designated starting place.

 

Netscape LogoHow do I customize my Netscape browser homepage?

Screen shot of Netscape Preferences, with home page area highlighted.

 
Netscape 4, 6, 7  (Macintosh OS 8-9 and Windows users.)

 

Click Edit, and choose Preferences.

 

Click the Home page radio button.

 

In the Location box type the web address of your preferred search engine. 

 

Be sure to include the complete address.Example: http://google.com

 

Click OK.

Netscape LogoNetscape 4, 6, 7  (Macintosh OS 8-9 and Windows users.) 

Click Edit, and choose Preferences.

Click the Home page radio button.

In the Location box type the web address of your preferred search engine. 

Be sure to include the complete address. 

Example: http://google.com

Click OK.

Netscape LogoNetscape 6, 7 (Macintosh OS X)

Click Netscape, and choose Preferences.

Click the Home page radio button.

In the Location box type the web address of your preferred search engine.

Be sure to include the complete address.

Example: http://google.com

Click OK.

Internet Explorer LogoHow do I customize my Internet Explorer browser homepage?

Screenshot of Internet Explorer Internet Options with Home page area emphasized.

 
Internet Explorer 5 (Windows)

 

Click Tools and choose Internet Options.

 

In Home Page address box type the complete web address of your favorite search engine.

 

Example: http://google.com

 

Click OK.

Internet Explorer LogoInternet Explorer 5 (MAC)

Click Edit and choose Preferences.

Choose Browser Display from the left hand panel

In Home Page address box type the complete web address of your favorite search engine.

Example: http://google.com

Click OK.

Internet Explorer LogoInternet Explorer 5 (MAC OSX)

Click Explorer and choose Preferences.

Choose Browser Display from the left hand panel.

In Home Page address box type the complete web address of your favorite search engine.

Example: http://google.com

Click OK.

The next time you start your browser it will open with your new home page.   From now on when you click your browser's Home icon, it will load your favorite search engine.


Authored by Dennis O'Connor 2003