Has Windows 10 Creators left an annoying surprise on your browser?



Windows is in the process of updating computers to its latest and greatest version, "Windows 10 Creators" (henceforth "Creators") which, of course is loaded with all sorts of stuff that is useful for tablet users, but not so much for desktop users like me.

When it comes to browsers, the folks at Windows would everyone to use their newest and latest browser, "Edge", now.

Edge works perfectly fine for most people, but as my friend Sara points out "Browser are a lot like underwear - certain ones work better for you than others.  If you feel good in a low rise, then you aren't going to enjoy granny panties.  So you find what works and stick with it."

She has a point.  Remember Netscape?  I held on to that until the last possible moment.  Then I got shoved off onto an earlier version Internet Explorer.  I have tried Vivaldi, Opera, Firefox and Chrome.  What I have found is some sites just work better with different browsers.

Make no mistake about it - Windows wants you off IE 11, because IE 11 will be unsupported, soon, with the exception of corporate clients, the like of which have kept Windows XP alive all these years.  And they are going to become more of nuisance with moving over to Edge as the clock ticks down.

Still, I am one of those Luddites that gets along just fine on my desktop with IE 11.  Which brings us back to the annoying surprise that "Creators" left in our browsers.

IF you have the tabs displayed - mine sit under the ribbon of commands - the last "Tab" has always been the "New Tab" button.  And if you are working with multiple tabs, for multiple sites, opening a new tab has become like auto pilot - your mouse just moves there and *click* a new tab opens.

BUT in "Creators", those impish folks in Redmond have moved the "Open New Tab" tab, and in its place are two tabs - New Tab and one with an "E" with the Edge logo.

This is super annoying because a now, if you aren't careful you start opening up Edge when you want a new tab.  This isn't what you want, but it is what the people in Redmond want you to do.  They want you to get off IE and onto Edge.

So, how to fix this and make it go away.   Right clicking won't do it.  There are no settings in the Internet Options -> Tab section.

I finally asked Microsoft's community support and got a variety of answers, including the dictatorial mansplaining "This is hard coded in and you cannot change this setting."  (And we all know that once someone says something like this, there has to be a work around.)

Finally, someone guided me and I am sharing with you.

In Internet Explorer 11, on the main screen, choose Tools, and in the pop up window choose Internet Options.  Then in the top of the window, choose ADVANCED.   You are going to see a options with check boxes.




Look for the unchecked box that reads: "Hide the button (next to the New Tab button) that opens Microsoft Edge."  Click on the empty box, and it should create a check mark.  Down below, the grayed out Apply button will activate, click on that, then OK, then close out (all windows of it and all tabs) Internet Explorer 11.

When you reopen Internet Explorer, the pesky "Edge" link button will be gone.

Now, one warning, unless you know what you are doing in IE 11, stay out of the advanced settings. Checking and unchecking those boxes without knowing what they do can create a mess down the way.

I hope this helps you.  If you are like me, it will.  If not, well, maybe someone you know.

But keep in mind that this is just a temporary fix.

The day is coming when IE 11 will not be supported and it will be cast into the technology heap along with the Alliance Tenna-Rotor for TV's, Chrysler's HighWay Hi-Fi, and Lotus 1-2-3.


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