How to use the AutoComplete feature in Internet Explorer 5 and 6

This article describes how to use the AutoComplete feature in Internet Explorer 5 and 6. The AutoComplete feature suggests possible matches for entries you type in the Address bar, a Web page form, or a user name or password box on a Web page.

The AutoComplete feature displays suggestions in a list as soon as Internet Explorer 5 and 6 start to recognize familiar patterns. If a suggestion in the list matches your criteria for that field, click the suggestion or press the DOWN ARROW key to display a list of suggestions, and then press ENTER.

Internet Explorer 5 and 6 turn on the AutoComplete feature by default for Web addresses, and you receive the following prompt before Internet Explorer 5 and 6 turn on AutoComplete for forms on Web pages: When you first type a user name and password on a Web page, you receive the following prompt: There is also a Don't offer to remember any more passwords check box that turns off the AutoComplete feature for user names and passwords on forms.

Adjusting AutoComplete Settings

To modify your settings for the AutoComplete feature or clear all items from the list of form or password suggestions, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. Click the Content tab.
3. Click AutoComplete.
4. Click the appropriate AutoComplete check boxes, or click Clear Forms or Clear Passwords to clear all saved items from the appropriate AutoComplete history.
5. Click OK, and then click OK.

To clear individual items from the list of form or password suggestions, click the item in the list of suggestions for that field and then press DELETE. The AutoComplete list automatically appears when you perform any of the following actions on a previously populated form:

• Type the first character in the field
• Press the UP or DOWN keys in the field
• Double-click a blank area in the field

To clear your AutoComplete history for Web addresses, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Click Clear History, and then click OK.

To turn on the inline AutoComplete feature for Web addresses, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Under Browsing, click the Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses check box, and then click OK.

NOTE: Internet Explorer 4.x uses inline AutoComplete for Web addresses and commands or folder names. This functionality of the AutoComplete feature provides suggestions for what you type by automatically completing the address or command inline with the closest match. By default, this functionality is turned on in Windows Explorer and turned off for Web addresses in Internet Explorer 5 and 6 (and replaced by a drop-down list).

To turn on the inline AutoComplete feature for Web addresses, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Under Browsing, click the Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses check box, and then click OK.

NOTE: If you turn off the AutoComplete feature for Web addresses (see the "Adjusting AutoComplete Settings" section of this article) and turn on inline, AutoComplete for Web addresses turns on the same AutoComplete behavior as in Internet Explorer 4.x.

NOTE: If the inline AutoComplete feature is turned on for Web addresses, addresses that do not include a resource identifier prefix (for example, http:// or ftp://) are not automatically completed. To work around this issue, either specify the resource identifier prefix for Web addresses for which you want to use the inline AutoComplete feature, or turn off the AutoComplete feature for Web addresses and use only inline AutoComplete (Internet Explorer 4.x AutoComplete).

How the AutoComplete Feature Works

The Internet Explorer 5 and 6 AutoComplete feature suggests matches as you type text in any of the following areas:

• The Address toolbar in Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or on the Windows desktop or taskbar
• The Open box in the Run dialog box accessed from the Start menu, or the Open dialog box accessed from the File menu in Internet Explorer
• Forms (including user names and passwords on forms) on Web pages

If you use the Windows Desktop Update component that is included with Internet Explorer 4, Windows 98 or later, or Windows 2000, the AutoComplete feature suggests matches as you type in an Address toolbar in Windows Explorer or in the Open box in the Run dialog box accessed from the Start menu. For more information about how to install the Windows Desktop Update component for Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: The list of matches that the AutoComplete feature suggests for a Web address, folder, or program name is determined by examining the following items:

• Your Favorites and History folders
• The contents of the folder you specify for files or folders
• The contents of the left pane in Windows Explorer
• A list of your most recently typed addresses, commands, or AutoSearch queries, which are stored in the registry

The AutoComplete feature for Web addresses also includes an AutoCorrect feature that can correct common errors. For example, if you accidentally type "htp://" or "http:\" instead of "http://," Internet Explorer 5 and 6 can automatically correct the error as soon as you click Go or press ENTER.

The list of matches that the AutoComplete feature suggests for forms or user names and passwords on forms is stored on your computer and is encrypted to protect your privacy. Web sites cannot gain access to this information unless you submit the form or log in by using the suggested password. For more information about how to use the AutoComplete feature in Internet Explorer 4.x, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about the AutoSearch and AutoScan features in Internet Explorer 5, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Internet Explorer 4 and 5 support the AutoComplete feature for Web page forms that use the Profile Assistant tool. For more information about using the Profile Assistant tool, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: