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General discussion

can someone please explain the difference between

Feb 22, 2009 9:56AM PST

Can someone please explain the difference between windows explorer and internet explorer besides I.E.
being a web browser, what fuctions do they have and what makes them different, also how do I access win
dows explorer?

Discussion is locked

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Windows Explorer is like a file and folder tool whereas
Feb 22, 2009 12:11PM PST

IE is a browser.

You can access Windows Explorer by holding down the keyboard key with the Windows logo on it and quickly tapping/releasing the "e" key.

VAPCMD

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Accessing Windows Explorer
Feb 28, 2009 4:49AM PST

Also from the desktop you can right click on My Computer, left click on "explore" and you will be there. When I tried your method I got 7 explorers.

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Google Is A Great Tool...
Feb 22, 2009 12:16PM PST

Basically, Internet Explorer IS a browser(graphical interface) of websites on the internet.
Google Search for "Internet Explorer Definition"

Basically, Windows Explorer is a grahical interface which allows the user to access file systems ON the computer or connected networks. It is also known as the primary "Windows Shell".
Google Search for "Windows Explorer Definition'


There are a number of ways to access Windows Explorer depending on which version of Windows you're using.. Unfortunately, you didn't tell us that. One way being: RIGHT click on the Start button, choose "Explore".. The next window is Windows Explorer..

Or.. Double click on "My Computer" on your desktop.. The next window is Windows Explorer.

Or.. On this Windows XP Pro computer, click on Start-Accessories-Windows Explorer.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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ie and windows explorer
Feb 27, 2009 11:21AM PST

You have to be connected to internet to receive internet explorer.It will show you such sites as cnn, nytimes,facebook, google, etc.In a computer-speak, this is a 'browser'.Other browsers are opera, firefox, safari, etc.
On the other hand, windows explorer does not require a connection, shows you all the programs, files on your OWN computer.It does not require a connection.
This is little trick of microsoft,to make users think there was only one browser, when in fact there are numerous browsers.

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"You have to be connected to internet".. ...
Feb 27, 2009 12:46PM PST

....to receive internet explorer."

Sorry Jean, that's not exactly correct. (Yes, I know I made reference to internet access in my post in this thread also but you don't "have to be connected" for Internet Explorer to work.) There are a number of files which reside on your computer, which can be opened by Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer, as well as other browsers are able to open certain types of files on your computer WITHOUT being connected to the internet.. Internet Explorer can open a number of files with examples being: .htm, .html, .jpg, and a number of others. In fact, older versions of Internet Explorer were the set as the DEFAULT picture viewer on operating systems like Windows 95/98. Many programs save their own .html files in the "Programs" folder, ON the computer, simply because they can be opened quickly by Internet Explorer after clicking on a link in their program..

For example, if you happen to have a new version of "Quicktime" installed on your XP computer, click on Start-All Programs-Quicktime-About Quicktime.. The link that opens up is NOT on the internet although it appears to be.. It resides in the "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QuickTime Read Me.htm" file.

It's confusing.. Such abilities of the browser make it even more confusing for the newbies to understand..

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Lol...Here's a simple answer....
Feb 27, 2009 2:19PM PST

charlieharveyswife thanks for letting me have a laugh first of all. No offenses meant whatsoever.

Now coming to the answer. This post that you have submitted on CNET forums has been made through Internet Explorer (IE). Its a Micro$oft "web browser" which enables you to "browse" i.e. read web pages, download & upload stuff and navigate through the plethora of computers called as the worldwide web or more simply as "The Internet".

Windows Explorer on the other hand is another Micro$oft product that helps you "explore" i.e navigate, find, read, write, create folders & files within your PC's hard drive. When you click on your "My Documents" or "My Computer" icon on the desktop and get to "explore" the contents within it (pictures, songs, videos, spreadsheets, documents), it is Windows Explorer which enables you to do this.

Thanks,
Abhishek.

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laughing and learning
Feb 28, 2009 5:54AM PST

I knew the answer to this so I'm not sure why I clicked through to read the posts (I guess the original poster is a relative newbie to the forum/net), but what I found fascinating is the little tips I gleaned from various answers. Keep it coming, keep sharing!

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One is a tool, the other is a browser
Feb 27, 2009 5:28PM PST

Windows Explorer is a File Management tool that is part of the Windows OS. It allows you to perform tasks that you would normally do on the command-line level, such as create, copy, move and delete files and directories. Internet Explorer is just a web browser designed to work with Windows.

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not quite accurate
Feb 28, 2009 5:32AM PST

try opening Internet Explorer then type C: into the address bar and see if you do not suddely have a file manager.

You could also type your_username on: your_computer_name
example == smokie2 on: SASQUATCH

You will have something that looks quite similar to "My Computer" for managing your files OR browsing the Internet. By right clicking in the browser window you can change how you are viewing files and drives.

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C: from I.E.
Feb 28, 2009 6:31AM PST

<<Internet Explorer then type C: into the address bar>>

Oh, Wow! I never knew that. And I'm not a newbie by any stretch of the imagination. Us old dogs really do learn new tricks!

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OMG! This turns your BROWSER into an EXPLORER!
Mar 6, 2009 10:42PM PST

Edward,
Thanks a ton for this amazing tip! I am humbled now. [:)]
In fact, not so long ago I searched Mozilla for an add-on that doubles up my browser as an explorer because I spend most of my time *inside* the browser and navigating various documents on my HDD. Your tip has potentially added precious minutes to my daily productivity. No more Alt+Tab I guess.

P.S.:- I couldn't get the other tip about using "your_username on: your_computer_name" tip to work properly. I entered my user name and my computer name and Firefox ended up searching Google for my user name and computer name. LOL.

Thanks,
Abhishek.

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My $0.02
Feb 28, 2009 5:56AM PST

I vote for answer number 7

Wink

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No real difference
Mar 1, 2009 10:28PM PST

Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer are basically the same thing. You can open Windows Explorer and type a web address into the Address area and suddenly you're looking at a web page. You can open Internet Explorer and navigate to any of your drives and directories on your PC. The main difference is the appearance of the interface. Other than that, they are one in the same.

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So what can you buy for "$0.02"?
Mar 4, 2009 12:23PM PST

To the credit of the original post, the author did ask this question under the "Computer newbies" question. 2 cents...hmmm...may be the banks can use that as bailout money [:D]

Thanks,
Abhishek.

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Wonderful to meet IT Gurus with a sense of humor!
Mar 5, 2009 1:57AM PST

Abhishek,

Speaking on my behalf and possibly Charlie's wife's too, I appreciate your expertise and the time you take to enlighten the rest of us!