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AOL Explorer
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>In 2003, AOL was given rights to Microsoft's <a href="/facts/Internet_Explorer/uL8a4Y5l">Internet Explorer</a> browser in a seven-year contract.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> As such, AOL Explorer shared similarities with Microsoft's flagship browser, notably the ability to access Windows updates, and install Internet Explorer-compatible plugins.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> Security features such as a <a href="/facts/Pop-up_ad/2Wk9EP6S">pop-up</a> blocker and spyware detection were built into the browser.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p><p>Version 1.5 was launched in May 2006, adding Desktop Widgets, Visual Themes, a Feeds Screensaver and various performance improvements. Desktop Widgets allowed the user to "tear off" a side panel and use it independently from the browser. <a href="/facts/RSS_Feeds/WBAWrkdj">RSS Feeds</a> could be shown in a <a href="/facts/Screensaver/13tBFbKh">screensaver</a>, and Show Page Preview allowed users to see previews of web page links without leaving the page.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="reception">Reception</h2> <p>AOL Explorer was praised by <i><a href="/facts/PC_Magazine/uPNIj5y0">PC Magazine</a></i> for its wealth of features and its visual design.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> Some criticisms were that the browser had "questionable anti-spyware tools", and that it did not support third-party <a href="/facts/Browser_toolbar/rgIs58bx">toolbars</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_web_browsers/PbUIvCfp">List of web browsers</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Comparison_of_web_browsers/crY3d7co">Comparison of web browsers</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_feed_aggregators/WE3SUDvT">List of feed aggregators</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Comparison_of_feed_aggregators/WE3SUDvT">Comparison of feed aggregators</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070209004225/http://downloads.channel.aol.com/browser">Download AOL Explorer – AOL Downloads</a> at the <a href="/facts/Wayback_Machine/nmQ3a6JC">Wayback Machine</a> (archived 2007-02-09)</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Upsdell, Charles (August 26, 2014). "AOL - Review". Website Design. Retrieved September 1, 2014. <a href="http://www.upsdell.com/BrowserNews/overview.htm" target="_blank">http://www.upsdell.com/BrowserNews/overview.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Popa, Bogdan (May 11, 2006). "More enhanced security and time-saving features than any other browser". Softpedia. Retrieved September 1, 2014. <a href="http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Browsers/AOL-Explorer.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Browsers/AOL-Explorer.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Hu, Jim (June 2, 2003). "Microsoft to pay AOL $750 million". CNET. Retrieved July 2, 2021. <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-to-pay-aol-750-million/" target="_blank">https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-to-pay-aol-750-million/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Broida, Rick (January 8, 2005). "AOL Explorer 1.1 - Review". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on December 19, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2021. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20051219090718/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1842397,00.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20051219090718/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1842397,00.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Broida, Rick (January 8, 2005). "AOL Explorer 1.1 - Review". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on December 19, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2021. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20051219090718/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1842397,00.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20051219090718/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1842397,00.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"AOL Explorer 1.5 Build". TechSpot. May 11, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2021. <a href="https://www.techspot.com/amp/downloads/2046-aol-explorer.html" target="_blank">https://www.techspot.com/amp/downloads/2046-aol-explorer.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Broida, Rick (January 8, 2005). "AOL Explorer 1.1 - Review". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on December 19, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2021. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20051219090718/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1842397,00.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20051219090718/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1842397,00.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Broida, Rick (January 8, 2005). "AOL Explorer 1.1 - Review". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on December 19, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2021. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20051219090718/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1842397,00.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20051219090718/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1842397,00.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>