One of the most important novelties in Internet Explorer 8 is the InPrivate Filtering feature. This new feature gives users increased security and control over their browsing sessions. However, there is one downside to it: InPrivate Filtering is turned off each time you start Internet Explorer 8 and you have to manually turn it on each time you want to use it. In this guide I will show how you can turn it on so that it remaines on at all times. There will be no need for you to manually activate it.

InPrivate Filtering Explained

The main role of InPrivate Filtering is to prevent third parties from collecting information about the sites you visit.

Third parties provide either content (e.g. videos, images, maps) or extended functionality (e.g. Google Analytics) for other websites. For example, if a video from Youtube is embedded on a website, that website will use third party content that will send information back to Youtube about how many views that video had. Also, if a site owner uses Google Analytics for traffic statistics, the Analytics code from his website that is sending information back to Google Analytics is going to be identified by InPrivate Filtering as third-party content.

InPrivate Filtering is capable of intercepting third-party content by analyzing each website you visit. If a specific code is found on more than 10 different websites, InPrivate Filtering classifies that code as third-party content.
By default, each time you start Internet Explorer 8, InPrivate Filtering is turned off. If you turn it on, you can use it manually, by choosing yourself what third-party content to block, or you can use the auto mode, that automatically blocks third-party content.

NOTE: If you choose to block third-party content, it can happen that portions of certain websites you visit will not be displayed correctly.

How Turn On InPrivate Filtering Indefinitely

First, download the archive file attached at end of this article. Right click on it and select Extract All.

Choose the destination folder and click on Extract.

When you open the folder where the archive was extracted, you will see three files: InPrivate Filtering Auto, InPrivate Filtering Manual and InPrivate Filtering Off.

To turn on InPrivate Filtering Auto each time Internet Explorer 8 starts, use the "InPrivate Filtering Auto.reg" file.

If you want to turn on the Manual InPrivate Filtering which allows you to select which content to block, use the "InPrivate Filtering Manual.reg" file.

If you want to completely turn off InPrivate Filtering, use the "InPrivate Filtering Off.reg" file.

Depending on what you want to do, double click on the appropriate file. You will receive an UAC (User Account Control) Prompt. Click on Continue.

When you see the window shown below, called Registry Editor, click on Yes.

Now you will receive a confirmation message. Click on OK.

In order for the changes to be applied, you need to run these files when Internet Explorer 8 is closed. Otherwise you might need to log out from Windows Vista and log back in.

NOTE: These files are offered "as is" with no warranties.

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Internet Explorer 8 - What's in for the normal user
How To Manage Internet Explorer 8 Add-ons
How To Use AdBlock Plus Filters In Internet Explorer 8
Easily Search for Tutorials in Internet Explorer 8
Top Add-ons for Internet Explorer 8