Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer is a Web browser that comes installed on Windows machines. It lets you surf the Net and comes bundled with an email client, Outlook Express. You can also use it to browse your hard drive by typing a directory path in the address bar (e.g. C:).

MSN Explorer

MSN is Microsoft's attempt to create an all-in-one environment that people never have to leave. It provides email, calendaring functions, chat, games, and everything else under the sun. If you have an MSN account, you get a Hotmail email address and an MSN Messenger account. MSN is trying to replicate the feel of AOL.

MSN Explorer isn't much more than a fancy wrapper over Internet Explorer. The only real difference is that the icons across the top give you instant access to MSN features. Type any URL into the address bar and off you go into the wild blue yonder just like you would in IE.

Let's say you have an MSN account but no MSN Explorer. Are you out of luck? No way. Head to MSN.com with Internet Explorer, Mozilla, or Netscape and you can still access all your MSN features by logging in to the site.

You probably have only Internet Explorer if you downloaded it, if you have MSN as your Internet service provider, or if it was installed by your PC's manufacturer.

Windows Explorer

To add to the confusion, Microsoft has one more Explorer, Windows Explorer. Windows Explorer is used to access files on your hard drive. Start it up and you'll see a hard-drive directory on the left of the screen and the current directory files and folders on the right. If you type a URL in the address bar you're whisked away to the World Wide Web.

So what's the difference between Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer?

• Windows Explorer excludes any additional toolbars you may have installed.
• IE typically won't display folders on the left side of the screen when you use it to browse your hard drive.