How to Install ActiveX From an Unknown Publisher

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Microsoft's ActiveX technology allows third-party developers to extend the default functionality of certain Windows programs. Most often used in conjunction with the Internet Explorer web browser, ActiveX controls power many popular add-ins, including Adobe Flash Player, the Facebook photo uploading tool and the Java browser plug-in. If you want to install an ActiveX control distributed by a developer that Internet Explorer does not recognize, you must first adjust your Internet Explorer security settings.

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Configure Security Settings

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Step 1

Open an Internet Explorer browser window.

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Step 2

Click "Tools" in the top menu bar, or "Tools" in the Explorer bar, and then select "Internet Options."

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Step 3

Select the "Security" tab.

Step 4

Click the "Internet" icon if you are installing the control from a public website. If the control is located on a private intranet, select the "Local intranet" option instead.

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Step 5

Click the "Custom Level" button.

Step 6

Scroll through the list of options until you reach the "ActiveX controls and plug-ins" heading.

Step 7

Set both the "Download signed ActiveX controls" and "Download unsigned ActiveX controls" options to "Prompt."

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Step 8

Set the "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins" option to "Enable."

Step 9

Click "OK."

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Step 10

Click "Apply" to confirm the changes and then click "OK" to close the open dialog box.

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Install ActiveX Control

Step 1

Open an Internet Explorer browser window and navigate to the webpage containing the ActiveX control you want to install. If the "Information Bar" dialog box appears, click "Close" or "OK."

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Step 2

Right-click the light-yellow box that appears near the top of the browser window. It may take a few seconds before you see this option.

Step 3

Select "Install ActiveX Control" from the resulting menu.

Step 4

Click "Install" to confirm your choice and then follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation process.

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