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To open Internet Options in Windows 11 or Windows 10, press Windows + R, type inetcpl.cpl, and press Enter. The window that opens is called Internet Properties. You can also find it by searching for Internet Options in Start or opening Control Panel.
This panel still exists, but many of its options come from Internet Explorer. Edge, Chrome and Firefox have their own menus for browsing history, extensions, homepages and search engines. Knowing which settings you need saves a lot of trial and error.
Three ways to open Internet Options
| Method | What to do |
|---|---|
| Run command | Press Windows + R, enter inetcpl.cpl, then press Enter. |
| Start search | Open Start, type Internet Options, and select the Control Panel result. |
| Control Panel | Open Control Panel. In Category view, choose Network and Internet > Internet Options. In Small icons or Large icons view, select Internet Options directly. |
These methods open the same panel. You do not need to install or launch Internet Explorer. If a work or school PC blocks a setting, an administrator may control it.
What the Internet Properties tabs do
The tabs look similar in Windows 10 and 11. Their presence does not mean every option controls your current web browser.
| Tab | What it contains | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| General | Legacy homepage, browsing-history and appearance options. | Changing this homepage does not set the homepage in Edge, Chrome or Firefox. |
| Security | Internet, Local intranet, Trusted sites and Restricted sites zones. | Mainly relevant to older web components and some managed business applications. |
| Privacy | Legacy cookie and pop-up controls. | Use your current browser’s privacy settings for its cookies and pop-ups. |
| Content | Certificates, AutoComplete and other legacy content settings. | Certificate changes can affect applications that use the Windows certificate store. |
| Connections | Connection entries and the LAN settings button, including proxy options. | Check with your network administrator before changing a work proxy setup. |
| Programs | Legacy browser add-ons and links to program defaults. | Modern Edge extensions are managed inside Edge. |
| Advanced | Additional compatibility, browsing and security options. | Some options apply only to older components. A generic online checklist may not fit your PC. |
Where to change settings for Edge, Chrome or Firefox
If you searched for an Internet Options toolbar or menu inside Microsoft Edge, open the three-dot menu > Settings. Microsoft explains this in its guide to finding Edge settings and internet options.
- Homepage or startup page: change it in the browser. Our Google homepage guide for Chrome, Edge and Firefox shows the separate steps.
- History, cookies and cache: use that browser’s clear-browsing-data menu.
- Extensions: use the browser’s extension manager. Internet Options does not manage modern Edge add-ons.
- Windows proxy: open Settings > Network & internet > Proxy. Use the address and port supplied by the network or service you actually use.
For a different Windows panel, such as computer-name or advanced system settings, follow our guide to opening System Properties.
Internet Options will not open or a setting is unavailable
- Check the command. It is
inetcpl.cpl, with a lowercase L before the dot. Copying it into Run avoids a spelling mistake. - Try Control Panel. If Start search points to the wrong result, open the item directly through Control Panel.
- Check whether the PC is managed. A greyed-out control or a message about your organization can mean a policy is in place. Ask your administrator about the setting you need.
- Match the setting to the problem. A Chrome homepage issue should be checked in Chrome. A work application with a proxy error may need a different fix.
Do not remove Restricted sites entries, lower security-zone levels or turn on old security protocols just to try to make browsing faster. Those changes can remove protections without fixing the cause of a slow connection.
Common questions
Are Internet Options and Internet Properties the same thing?
Yes. Internet Options is the Control Panel item; Internet Properties is the title on the window it opens.
Does changing Internet Options reset Microsoft Edge?
No. Edge has its own settings and reset controls. Microsoft documents those separately from the older Internet Properties panel.
Should I install Internet Explorer to get this panel?
No. Internet Options can be opened directly. The Internet Explorer desktop app is retired on affected Windows versions; it is not needed for these opening methods.