Windows – Internet Explorer 8 Settings File Location

internet-explorer-8windows 7

I frequently use a web site which has been designed specifically for Internet Explorer 8. What's more, I need to adjust a few dozen settings in IE8 for the site to function correctly. The problem is that, every month or two or three, my settings will get reset to the default IE8 settings.

Is there a file saved somewhere by IE that stores the setting options I've selected? I'd love to be able to just make a backup copy of that file and then just paste it back in when the settings get messed up. The settings I change are found in Internet Options > Security > Custom Level and Internet Options > Advanced.

I'm using 64-bit Windows 7. I have my Windows updates installing automatically, so I'm not sure if Microsoft is still releasing IE8 updates that may be causing the problem.

Thanks!

Best Answer

These settings are saved in the registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones. After configuring your settings, you can export the registry keys for later use.

Each key under Zones corresponds to a zone in your IE settings:

  1. Local intranet
  2. Trusted sites
  3. Internet
  4. Restricted sites

You may want to consider adding this website to trusted sites instead of modifying your Internet zone. Otherwise you may be opening yourself up to malware.

As for the advanced options, those are stored under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\AdvancedOptions\

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