# Windows Registry Hacks/Internet Explorer

This chapter deals with tweaks related to visual enhancement, performance and miscellaneous factors related to Internet Explorer

## Custom Information pages

There are 10 information pages in total which include "navigation failure", "web page unavailable", "about:tabs" etc. The pages along with their default paths are:
| Value | Default Data ( in IE 6) | Default Data ( in IE 7) |
| blank | res://mshtml.dll/blank.htm | res://mshtml.dll/blank.htm |
| NavigationFailure | res://shdoclc.dll/navcancl.htm | res://ieframe.dll/navcancl.htm |
| DesktopItemNavigationFailure | res://shdoclc.dll/navcancl.htm | res://ieframe.dll/navcancl.htm |
| NavigationCanceled | res://shdoclc.dll/navcancl.htm | res://ieframe.dll/navcancl.htm |
| OfflineInformation | res://shdoclc.dll/offcancl.htm | res://ieframe.dll/offcancl.htm |
| PostNotCached | res://mshtml.dll/repost.htm | res://ieframe.dll/repost.htm |
| NoAdd-ons | value not available | res://ieframe.dll/noaddon.htm |
| NoAdd-onsInfo | value not available | res://ieframe.dll/noaddoninfo.htm |
| SecurityRisk | value not available | res://ieframe.dll/securityatrisk.htm |
| Tabs | value not available | res://ieframe.dll/tabswelcome.htm |
Note: "res://" in above paths stands for "resource".
The Key and data type are:
| Key | HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\AboutURLs |
| Value Name | NavigationFailure |
| Data Type | REG_SZ |
| Data | path to custom html page |
TIP: * In case of a browser hijack, the values will be changed to reflect a particular URL. Putting back the default values can help in counter measures.
* All the default pages can bee seen by copy-pasting the path to Run dialog box (e.g. pasting "res://shdoclc.dll/offcancl.htm" in Run dialog box will open up the "web page unavailable offline" page.
* Or they can be seen by typing in the Run Dialog box OR IE address bar the following:
** about:<value>
*** replacing <value> with one of the values from table above as below
** about:OfflineInformation
** about:Tabs

## Background bitmap for explorer toolbars

Description: Internet explorer can be customized to use a bitmap image as a background for toolbars.
Note: Only images with bmp as extension will work.
| Key | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar |
| Value Name | BackBitmapShell < This is the name of your new "String Value" |
| Data Type | String Value (Right click on right-hand pane and select "New > String Value") |
| Data | Enter the direct path to your bitmap image (e.g. C:\WINDOWS\Resources\"New Folder Name") |

## Custom loading icon and animation

Description: Internet Explorer uses static and dynamic icons which can be seen at top-right. 4 Values are needed for customization which are:
| Value | Description |
| BigBitmap | A 38x38 pixel bitmap image which is in use when no data transfer takes place. |
| SmallBitmap | A 22x22 pixel bitmap which is in use when no data transfer takes place. |
| BrandBitmap | A 38x38 pixel GIF image which is in use when data transfer takes place. |
| SmBrandBitmap | A 22x22 pixel GIF image which is in use when data transfer takes place. |
| Key | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar |
| Value Name | BigBitmap |
| Data Type | REG_SZ |
| Data | path to 38x38 bitmap image |

## Custom title bar text

Description: The title-bar in Internet Explorer can be customized to show personalized text.
| Key | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main |
| Value Name | Window Title |
| Data Type | REG_SZ |
| Data | Wikibooks |

## Change hyperlink colors

Description: Hyperlink and visited hyperlink colors are shown in blue (0,0,255) and purple (128,0,128) respectively. Changing the hover text color requires the setting to be enabled first. It can be done by using the following registry:
| Key | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Settings |
| Value Name | Use Anchor Hover Color |
| Data Type | REG_SZ |
| Data | Yes |
The format for colors is
| Key | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Settings |
| Value Name | Anchor Color |
| Data Type | REG_SZ |
| Data | 0,255,0 |
| Key | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Settings |
| Value Name | Anchor Color Visited |
| Data Type | REG_SZ |
| Data | 255,0,0 |
| Key | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Settings |
| Value Name | Anchor Color Hover |
| Data Type | REG_SZ |
| Data | 0,0,255 |