Windows 2000 integrated browser features and FAQs

Windows 2000 integrated browser features and FAQs

Document number: 69058

This document provides an overview to the differences between how browsers work on Windows 2000 in contrast to Windows NT4 and answers some common questions about the browser.

What is a browser and what is different about the Windows 2000 browsers? ?

A browser is a progam that alolows you to navigate, view, and often maniuplate the various features of your computer, network and internet.
The Windows 2000 browser is different because it is entirely integrated instead of specialized.
In previous versions of Windows the various browsers were specialized and offered tools specific to their function. For example, in Windows NT4 "My Network Neighborhood" was designed to locate and connect to other computers on the network, while "Windows NT Explorer" was optimized for exploring the files and folders of the local computer and mapped network drives. Neither of these browsers could be used to access internet addresses. In Windows 2000 all the browsers have indentical features and all can be used to perform the various functions from mapping a network drive, to managing files and folders to surfing the internet.
The address bar in Windows 2000 can take you anywhere. You can type in a local drive and get a listing of local files and folders. You can type in a network share name and get instant access to the share, no mapping required. You can type in an internet or intranet address to easily access those locations.

Where is Windows Explorer?

Windows 2000 Windows Explorer does not appear on the Start, Programs menu; it can be found by selecting Start then Programs , then Accessories, or by right clicking the start button and clicking E xplore. Because "My Computer" can perform all of the same functions as Windows Explorer you may never have any reason to access Windows Explorer.

If all the browsers are the same why do I need more than one?

While you don't actually need more than one you will probably find it convenient to take advantage of the different default views.
"My Network Places" presents the best view for adding and managing network resources such as shared network folders or web folders.
"My Computer" quickly displays resources currently available such as local drives, mapped network shares and Control Panel. It is the ideal view for managing your computer.
"Windows Explorer" will start you ready to explore your files and folders. If you start "Windows Explorer" by right clicking on the "Start" button then selecting E xplore the browser will open at the current Start folder. That would be the ideal view for modifying what appears on your Start menu as well as what programs are launched automatically on startup.
"Internet Explorer" will open with slightly different features most frequently used in web browsing.

How do I use the browsers?

Get more information on using the browsers from document 69051 — Windows Explorer and My Computer Tips.

How have the names of the browsers changed?

You will most likely recognize them because the name changes are small, but here is a chart of the browsers, and if the name has changed.

Windows 2000 name	Windows NT4 name
My Computer	My Computer
My Documents
My Network Places	Network Neighborhood
Windows Explorer	Windows NT Explorer
Internet Explorer	Internet Explorer

What is different about the address bar in Windows 2000?

On Windows 2000 you can access internet sites from any of the browsers simply by typing the internet address in the address bar. The interface differs slightly depending upon whether you are accessing the internet or your local computer. When you access the internet the three buttons on the toolbar are Search, Favorites and History. When you access your local computer or mapped network drives the three buttons on the toolbar are Search, Folders and History. To use Internet Explorer to access the local machine select View ť Explorer ť F olders. The only difference you will note between accessing local files using Internet Explorer (in contrast to the other browsers) is that "Microsoft Internet Explorer" appears on the title bar if you originally started with Internet Explorer, but not if you started from Windows Explorer, My Computer, or My Network Places.

The browsers and mapping network drives

On NT4 quickly accessing a network drive from Windows Explorer requires first mapping to that drive.
On Windows 2000 you can access a network drive simply by typing the address in the address bar of any of the browsers e.g. \\psh-common-02\peoplenet32. You can still map to a network drive, but you don't need to do so.

Start Menu - Programs

On NT4 clicking on the Start button then selecting Programs lists all folders and programs available from the Start Menu.
On Windows 2000 the default is for the Start button then selecting Programs to list only the most recently used programs. This is called the "Personalized Menu." A user may ask " Where did my programs go?" Holding the pointer on the menu for a moment will expand the menu and allow the display of the other programs and folders. To turn off the personalized menu Start ť Settings ť Taskbar & Start Menuť General (tab) ť uncheck Use Personalized Menus.

File associations: 69015 — How to setup and modify file associations

On NT4 how file associations are set by choosing Options from the View menu of Windows Explorer or My Computer.
On Windows 2000 how file associations are set from choosing Folder Options either from the Tools menu in Windows Explorer (or My Computer) or choosing the Folder Options icon found on Control Panel.

File display: 69050 — Tips on files and folders.

On NT4 how files are displayed and file associations are set by choosing Options from the View menu of Windows Explorer or My Computer.
On Windows 2000 how files are displayed and file associations are set from choosing Folder Options either from the Tools menu in Windows Explorer (or My Computer) or choosing the Folder Options icon found on Control Panel.

Network connection indication

On NT4 if there is no network connection at login the user will get an error " Domain controller not found."
On Windows 2000 if there is no network connection at login the user will see a small icon of a monitor with a red X at the lower right-hand corner in the system tray of the taskbar.

Find and Search:

On NT4 to locate a file, folder or computer you use Find from the Tools menu of Windows NT Explorer or Find from the Start button. If you select Find ť Files and Folders from the Start button only the Find window opens, Windows NT Explorer does not open.
On Windows 2000 to locate a file, folder or computer you use Search from the toolbar of Windows Explorer or Sear ch from the Start menu. If you select Sear ch from the Start menu Windows Explorer opens in search view.

Find and Search for computer:

On NT4 to locate a computer from Windows NT Explorer you can use Tools ť Find ť Computer... or from the Start button ť Find ť Computer....
On Windows 2000 to locate a computer from Windows Explorer use the Search button on the toolbar then pull the scroll bar to the bottom, under Search for other items select the link Computers. If you open My Network Places and click the Search button on the toolbar the default search view is to search for Computers. The Sear ch option that is on the Start menu does not list Computers but if you select For Files and Folders then Windows Explorer will open in Search view and you can scroll down and select the Computers link.

Find and Search for files or folders:

On NT4 to locate a file or folder from Windows NT Explorer you can use Tools ť Find ť Files or Folders... or from the Start button ť Find ť Files or Folders....
On Windows 2000 to locate a file or folder from Windows Explorer use the Search button on the toolbar, or from the Start button ť Sear ch ť For Files or Folders... or right-click the Start button and select S earch. Every choice will open Windows Explorer in search files and folders view.

Computer name and system information:

On NT4 you can find the computer name in Network Properties. You can open Network Properties from the following locations:

Right-click Network Neighborhoodť P roperties ť Identification(tab).
Start button ť Settings ť Control Panelť Networkť Identification(tab).

On Windows 2000 the computer name is found on the Network Identification tab of System Properties. The Computer name is given as the "full computer name" which includes the .peoplesoft.com suffix.You can open the Network Identification tab of System Properties from the following locations:
- Right-click My Network Places ť P roperties ť Adva nced ť Network Identification...
- Start button ť Settings ť Control Panel ť Network and Dial-up Connections ť Adva nced ť Network Identification...
- Start button ť Settings ť Control Panel ť System ť Network Identification (tab)