Enable Java add-ons in Internet Explorer 8

Q Some websites, in particular the Thinkbroadband Speed Test, do not work properly on my computer with Windows XP and Internet Explorer 8.

They prompt to download the Java Runtime Environment even though I have done this several times. Yet the same websites are working with Firefox.

Dave Duncan

A As the website is working in Firefox, you’re right to suspect Internet Explorer 8 as the culprit.
The latest version of the Microsoft web browser has an improved tool for managing extra software such as Java. Start Internet Explorer, click on the Tools icon and then on Manage Add-ons.

The add-ons are arranged by the company that made them. Scroll down to Sun Microsystems. Make sure each of the entries is marked as Enabled in the Status column.

To enable Java entries, left-click on them once and then click on the Enable button at the bottom of the window.

You will also need to check the Java setting in the Internet Options window. Click on the Tools menu and then on Internet Options. Click on the Advanced tab and scroll down to the section marked Java (Sun). There will only be one option. Click in the box so that a tick appears and click on OK. You will need to restart Internet Explorer for the change to take effect.

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