Have you ever called tech support on a browser or plug-in problem and their first suggestion is to neutralize your browser? That's where you have to delete your cookies and change your security settings back to the defaults. Yes, I know you can restore Cookies and Favorites with IE. But, restoring the browser back to your configuration can be time consuming without the right tools. Fortunately, BackRex Internet Explorer Backup can do this in a matter of minutes. You can even schedule backups.

I mostly use this program to restore my Microsoft Internet Explorer settings when changing configurations for testing. The program can also be used for moving your settings to another PC. For example, if you purchased a new computer and wanted the same IE browser settings, including your cookies and favorites.

What's Included in the IE Backup

BackRex Internet Explorer Backup pulls the settings you need. It doesn't backup cached files or plugs-ins. It does backup just about everything else into a compressed .exe file:

• Proxy & connection settings
• Security zones
• User customizations
• Cookies
• History
• Favorites
• Auto complete passwords
• Dialup accounts

The Backup and Restore Process

The software includes a wizard that guides you through each step based on the task you wish to perform. The major choices being some method of backing up or restoring your data.

The program includes some nice features such as file compression and passwords. My backup file routinely is less than 1MB, but yours can vary based on how much data you have. Ideally, I would like the ability to select which options to backup. For example, I rarely have a need to restore my history.

The wizard is a snap to use since there are so few settings. Perhaps, the hardest step is remembering where you saved your backup file. The restore function uses the same wizard. The only difference is you will need to reboot your machine.

We've been delighted with the utility. As with most programs, there are a couple of nits, but nothing that would discourage us from recommending it. For example, I don't always see a sign the program is working when I click the Next button. The program is gathering my settings, but it would be nice to see some visual feedback.

The documentation also mentions two limitations with dial up settings. One is the program won't restore your dial up password. The second limitation is you can't migrate your dial-up settings from a Windows NT/2000/XP to a Windows 95/98/Me machine. You can migrate in the other direction. Since most people are upgrading to a new operating system, I doubt many people will encounter this issue.

Even if you don't have a need to call technical support on a browser problem, I would still download this program. These days, its too easy to upgrade software and mistakenly delete your custom browser settings. With BackRex Internet Explorer Backup, you can set it and forget it until you need to restore.

Additional Information

• Version Reviewed: 1.4
• Cost: Free
• URL: http://www.backsettings.com/internet-explorer-backup.html

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