Summary: Thanks to the Add-On Manager, you now can now have more visibility and control over what software makes itself part of Internet Explorer.
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What is Internet Explorer's new Add-On Manager? |
Browser Add-Ons are one of the many ways that viruses, spyware, and other malware can attach to your computer and cause you grief. Browser Add-Ons are also one of the many ways that legitimate publishers can add functionality to Internet Explorer or to specific web sites and pages.
With Windows XP Service Pack 2, Internet Explorer was updated to include a new Add-On Manager to allow you more visibility into and control over the software that makes itself part of Internet Explorer.
Let's have a look at what it shows.
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On Internet Explorer's Tools Menu, select Manage Add-Ons....
The Add-On manager defaults to showing all the Add-On's currently loaded in internet explorer. Each includes:
Name - the add-on's name. Since displaying this information is relatively new, not all add-on's have meaningful names. Some, like "AcroIEHelperObjClass" will allow you to infer what they are - Adobe's Acrobat, in this case. Others may display only a GUID, or Globally Unique IDentifier as their name.
Publisher - if available, the publisher of the add-on. Some may include the string "(Not Verified)" which indicates that the add-on itself has not been digitally signed.
Status - indicating whether or not the add-on is enabled. The default display, all currently loaded add-ons, will display only enabled.
Type - add-ons can make use of several different interfaces into Internet Explorer including Browser Extension, Browser Helper Object and ActiveX Control.
Filename - it's not always available, but the filename in which the add-on resides can among other things help identify that add-on's purpose.
The purpose of many add-ons will be obvious based simply on their name, the publisher, or their file name. However if you have an add-on that you don't recognize, or that you suspect is causing you problems, you can disable the add-on by selecting it and clicking on the Disable radio button. Depending on IE's behaviour after that, you can decide if that add-on was necessary or not.
By changing the Show drop down to "Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer" you can see all the extensions, helper objects, and ActiveX controls that IE knows about. You can also use this as an opportunity to update ActiveX controls.
The Learn more about add-ons... link near the bottom of the Add-On Manager dialog opens up the help file which contains more helpful information about add-ons, and the add-on manager.
I've teamed up with Lockergnome to provide video tips on various topics. View Internet Explorer's Add-On Manager and watch as I walk through the various settings I've described in this article.
Related:
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Microsoft - Windows XP Service Pack 2
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Microsoft - Windows XP Service Pack 2 Changes
Article C2169 - August 27, 2004
If an Add-on is not digitally signed, how can you tell if it is safe? In particular:
Posted by: Derick at February 18, 2008 6:21 PM- Free Threaded XML DOM Document 4.0-(Not Verified: Microsoft Corp.)
- XML DOM Document 4.0-(Not Verified: Microsoft Corp.)
- XML HTTP 4.0-(Not Verified: Microsoft Corp.)
- XML Data Source Object 4.0-(Not Verified: Microsoft Corp.)
-XML Schema Cache 4.0-(Not Verified: Microsoft Corp.)
-XSL Template 4.0-(Not Verified: Microsoft Corp.)
- isInstalled Class 4.0(Not Verified: Sun Microsystems Inc.)
Harking back to the question by Derick (18.02.08), I have found that I have the following in the 'Add on that run without requiring permission'
Posted by: Dave at March 16, 2008 6:35 PMFree Threaded XML DOM Document Ver. 3, 4, & 6 and one with no version.
XML Data Source Object Ver. 3, 4
XML DOM Document Ver. 3, 4, & 6 and one with no version.
XML HTTP Ver. 3,4, & 6
XML Schema Cache Ver. 3, 4, & 6 and one with no version.
XSL Template Ver. 3, 4, & 6 and one with no version.
Are all these versions necessary or can I disable or even delete all except the latest version??
What is the add-on TODO that keeps popping up when I go to my yahoo mail I am not sure what to do with it please help.
Posted by: Ann at March 17, 2008 5:38 PMsince my add ons are gone the computer is slower and I can;t always get in to places I ONCE DID,..HELP PLEASE MY COPY AND PASTE OPTIONS ARE ALSO GRAYED OUT? WHAT;S UP?
Posted by: annie muncy at July 23, 2008 10:54 AMTrying to obtain licence key for SSMA but get error that MsXml3.dll is running and causing a problem. It is not verified. I have disabled the add-on, closed my browser and re-tried but get the same error. How can I can past this?
Thanks,
Isobel
Posted by: isobel at August 18, 2008 10:22 AMmy computer always comes with yahoo update manager
Posted by: Edward at August 19, 2008 7:07 AMMy internet explorer comes on with add on disabled
Posted by: Tillett at January 2, 2009 11:08 PMand when i go to tools.... add-on manager... is not highlighted and therefore I am not able to re enable it. What can I do.
Simply answer: ARE ADD-ONS NECESSARY?
09-Feb-2009
My internet explorer comes on with add on disabled
Posted by: Abby at May 19, 2009 2:13 PMand when i go to tools, add-on types is not highlighted and therefore I am not able to re enable it. What can I do!??! I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO SEVERAL THINGS ON MY LAPTOP AND I NEED SERIOUS HELP!!!! PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH THE ANSWER!!!!!!! thanks!!
i keep getting s pop up sying my add-ons are disabled but all of mine are enabled what should i do?
Posted by: yolanda at September 28, 2009 7:59 PM