<p>Definition: <strong>Internet Explorer</strong> is the free, default Web browser for the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. Internet Explorer ships pre-installed on all modern Windows computers.</p><p>Microsoft Internet Explorer contains various Internet connection, network <a data-inlink="FryTSbOxPaP9my7rGRyR3A&#61;&#61;" href="https://www.lifewire.com/file-sharing-on-computer-networks-817371" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">file sharing</a>, and security settings. Among other features, Internet Explorer supports:</p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/introduction-to-proxy-servers-computer-networking-816448" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">proxy server</a> configuration</li><li> <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/vpn-virtual-private-network-overview-818183" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3">VPN</a> and <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/file-transfer-protocol-817943" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4">FTP</a> client capabilities</li><li>remote administration</li></ul><p>Internet Explorer has received much publicity for several network security holes that have been discovered in the past, but Internet Explorer remains the most popular Web browser in use worldwide.</p><p>Browser and related download packages are obtainable for free on the Web from microsoft.com. </p><p><strong>Also Known As: </strong>IE, MSIE</p>