Enable Javascript

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript was originally developed by Netscape where is was called Mocha, before being renamed as LiveScript until it finally became JavaScript. Today, "JavaScript" is a trademark of Sun Microsystems. Despite its name, JavaScript has nothing to do with Java! JavaScript was also the basis for, but shouldn't be confused with, the ECMA-262 Specification (a.k.a 'EcmaScript').

For the purposes of this page, JavaScript is, probably, the most widely used, client-side (i.e. your web browser is responsible for interpreting the script), scripting language on the internet.

Why do I need to enable it in my browser?

The majority of modern websites use JavaScript to a greater or lesser extent to try and improve your browsing experience. Therefore, if you want to view those websites as the designers intended, you need your browser to be able to interpret each JavaScript it encounters in order to properly display each web page you request.

Why this Page?

I wanted a convenient place to put all the JavaScript enabling stuff I've collected about different browsers. Whilst by no means exhaustive (there are probably over a hundred web browsers out there) I've featured all the main ones. I hope you find it useful too.

Feedback

If you notice any errors, or can contribute details for a browser I've not mentioned, or have other suggestions for improvements, then please

Mike

Internet Explorer

IE is still the most widely used browser (thanks largely to being bundled with each release of the Windows OS since 1995) although it has steadily been loosing ground to Firefox over the last few years. From a security and standards compliance perspective, users - if they have no other choice - should always ensure they run the very latest version of IE which can be obtained from the website below. Better yet, switch to Firefox!

Browser Website:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx

Versions 5, 6, 7 & 8 (Windows)

Note: In IE 7.0, JavaScript is disabled by default

Select Internet Options from the Tools menu
Choose Security
Click Custom Level
Scroll down to the section labelled Scripting
Under Active Scripting, select Enable
Click OK

Version 5 (Mac OS/9)

Select Preferences from the Edit menu
Click the arrow next to Web Browser
Click Web Content
Under Active Content check Enable Scripting
Click OK

Version 4 (Windows)

Select Internet Options from the View menu
Click the Security tab
Click Custom
Click Settings
Scroll down to the section labelled Scripting
Under Active Scripting, select Enable
Click OK

Version 3 (Windows)

Select Options from the View menu
Click Security
Check Enable Java Programs
Click OK

Mozilla Firefox

If you still can't get JavaScripts working after following these steps, you may have the NoScript add-in installed. Check your Firefox status-bar for this icon: NoScript Icon

. If you do have the NoScript add-in, then you need to right-click it and select the appropriate "Allow..." item to allow scripting for that site. If you don't have the NoScript add-in then you should - it's probably the best browser add-in ever!. Get it here.

Browser Website:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Version 1

Select Tools from the top menu
Choose Options
Choose Web Features from the left navigation
Select the checkbox next to Enable JavaScript
Click OK

Versions 1.5, 2 & 3

Select Tools from the top menu
Choose Options
Choose Content from the top navigation
Select the checkbox next to Enable JavaScript
Click OK

Google Chrome

If you're interested in exactly how to disable/enable JavaScript in Chrome, take a look here.

Browser Website:
http://www.google.co.uk/chrome/

Version 1

Google Chrome (as of version 1.0.154.48) has no graphical mechanism for enabling/disabling JavaScript.
However, by default, JavaScript is enabled in Chrome.

Opera

Browser Website:
http://www.opera.com/

to Version 8

Select Quick Preferences from the File menu
Check Enable Javascript
Click OK

Versions 9 & 10

Select Preferences from the Tools menu
Select Advanced
Select Content
Check Enable JavaScript
Click OK

Netscape Navigator

As of March 2008, development of Netscape Navigator ceased.

Browser Website:
http://browser.netscape.com/

All versions(?)

Select Edit from the top menu
Choose Preferences
Choose Advanced
Choose Scripts & Plugins
Under the Enable JavaScript for section, check the box next to Navigator
Click OK

AOL

Browser Website:
http://daol.aol.com/software/95

Version 9

Select Settings from the AOL navigation bar
Choose Index
Choose Browser Settings
Choose Related Settings
Choose Internet Explorer settings
Follow the instructions from number 4 for Internet Explorer Version 5, 6, 7 & 8

Safari

Browser Website:
http://www.apple.com/safari/

Versions 1 & 2 (Mac OS/X)

Select Preferences from the Safari menu
Choose Security
Check Enable JavaScript
Close the window

Version 3 (Windows)

Select Edit from the Safari menu
Select Preferences
Choose Security
Check Enable JavaScript
Close the window

Version 4 Beta (Windows)

As for Version 3 above but note that the Menu Bar is not visible by default. You can select the small 'cog' icon in the top right to toggle the Menu Bar but also to access the Preferences menu item.

Flock

Browser Website:
http://flock.com/

Versions 1 & 2

Select Options from the Tools menu
(or Preferences from the Edit menu on Linux
or Preferences from the Flock menu on Max OS)
Click the Content tab
Check Enable JavaScript
Click OK