ActiveX Filtering in Internet Explorer: How to Use

ActiveX Filtering is a security feature in Internet Explorer that blocks potentially unsafe ActiveX controls and add-ons from running on websites. When enabled, it prevents these components from executing without your permission, reducing the risk of malware and unwanted software. This guide shows you how to turn on ActiveX Filtering, manage it per-site, and troubleshoot common issues.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Internet Explorer (version 9 or later, though the steps are similar in IE10 and IE11).
• Administrator rights to your Windows account (usually required to change IE settings).
• Access to the website where you want to test ActiveX filtering.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Internet Explorer. Click the gear icon (⚙) in the top-right corner, or press Alt+X to open the Tools menu.
2. Navigate to Safety settings. In the Tools menu, hover over Safety and then click ActiveX Filtering. A checkmark appears next to it when enabled.
3. Enable ActiveX Filtering. If there is no checkmark, click ActiveX Filtering to turn it on. A small blue shield icon may appear in the address bar to indicate it’s active.
4. Test a website. Visit a page that uses ActiveX controls (e.g., a site with embedded video or a legacy banking portal). The blocked controls will not run, and you may see a placeholder or a notification bar.
5. Allow a specific site (if needed). When ActiveX Filtering is on, you can allow a trusted site to run controls. Go to the site, click the shield icon in the address bar, and choose Allow for this website. This adds the site to your allowed list.
6. Manage your allowed sites. To remove a site from the allowed list, go to Tools > Safety > ActiveX Filtering again. Click the arrow next to it and select ActiveX Filtering Settings. In the dialog, you can delete sites from the list.
7. Disable ActiveX Filtering (if you change your mind). Follow step 2 and click ActiveX Filtering again to remove the checkmark. This turns it off globally.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to enable it per-site. ActiveX Filtering is global by default; you must explicitly allow a site if you want it to run controls.
• Confusing ActiveX Filtering with the pop-up blocker. They are separate features. Filtering blocks controls, not pop-ups.
• Expecting all websites to work. Some sites rely heavily on ActiveX and will not function correctly when filtered. You may need to allow them.
• Not restarting IE after changing settings. Some changes take effect only after you close and reopen the browser.

Tips

• Keep ActiveX Filtering enabled by default for everyday browsing, and only allow sites you trust.
• Use the ActiveX Filtering Settings dialog to review your allowed sites periodically and remove any you no longer use.
• If a site breaks, try allowing it temporarily to see if ActiveX controls are the cause.
• Remember that ActiveX is largely obsolete; modern websites use HTML5, so filtering rarely affects them.

Troubleshooting

ActiveX Filtering is grayed out. This can happen if you’re using a restricted account or if group policy disables it. Try logging in as an administrator or contact your IT department.

I allowed a site, but it still doesn’t work. The site might use a different subdomain (e.g., app.example.com vs. www.example.com). Allow the exact domain you’re using. Also, clear your cache and restart IE.

The shield icon is missing. The shield appears only when ActiveX controls are blocked on the current page. If no controls are present, the icon may not show.

I can’t find the Safety menu. If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to reveal it, or use the gear icon.

ActiveX Filtering doesn’t seem to block anything. Some sites use scripts that aren’t ActiveX. Filtering only affects ActiveX controls and add-ons, not JavaScript or other web technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does ActiveX Filtering work in Microsoft Edge?
A: No. ActiveX is only supported in Internet Explorer. Edge uses a different architecture and does not support ActiveX controls.

Q: Will ActiveX Filtering slow down my browsing?
A: It may slightly increase page load time because IE has to check each control, but the impact is usually negligible.

Q: Can I enable ActiveX Filtering for only certain zones?
A: No, it’s a global setting. You can, however, allow individual sites as described above.

Q: Is ActiveX Filtering the same as the ‘Do Not Track’ feature?
A: No. Do Not Track sends a request to websites to not track your activity. ActiveX Filtering blocks specific browser components.

Q: Why do some websites still show ActiveX errors even with filtering on?
A: Filtering blocks the control from running, but the website’s code may still expect it and generate errors. You can either allow the site or use a different browser.

Q: How do I know if a site is using ActiveX?
A: Look for the shield icon in the address bar, or check the page source for object tags with classid attributes.

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