How to browse Internet when can't open any web browser?

Hi Guyz,

I am just wondering is there any way to browse in Windows 7 if I can't open any browser (like IE, Firefox, Chrome etc.)? Using notepad or similar applications' "Jump to URL" option, that can be done in Windows XP !!!

Thanks in advance.
S. Paul

Are you connected to the Internet through an ISP? Why can't you open any browser?

Type URL of website in Run box and press enter.

i'm not sure i understand your question correctly.

in order to browse the internet, you need a program that can load and display webpages. among many other things, this program also has to allow the user to click on links to go to another webpage. this type of program is called a browser.

so, no, you can't browse without a browser.

i am also interested to learn how you use notepad in xp to 'jump to url'? as far as i know notepad only reads and edits simple text files. sure it can edit html files, but it cannot display html content, images, links, it can't do javascript, it can't store favourites, it can't download stuff etc etc - it's not a browser.

gauravinsane said:

Type URL of website in Run box and press enter.

Click to expand...

...and then a browser opens up?

I'm not sure much but you can use cmd to connect to telnet and ftp and dload stuffs off public folders like images etc.
Below is a tutorial to download firefox using cmd window.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19494-firefox-3-5-1-download-without-browser.html

This might be an option for you...

Download Lynx Text Only Browser

Browser is just a shell:
You can open explorer based windows like My Documents or any other windows related shell to connect to the internet (unless prohibited by GPO)

I meant, there may be privilege issues for some users (not administrator) and that's why they can't launch any web browser...
Please check the following link for a article which works fine in Windows XP. I'm just asking whether anything like this is available for Windows 7 !!!
how to browse the internet without web browser installed | David Odang dot com

Thanks,
S. Paul

ah thanks for the link - using xp help viewer as a 'browser' - interesting.

i don't know of any similar method in windows 7, i'm afraid.

*edit* actually you can do it in 7 too:



give me a few minutes to write some instructions...

basically, you are using the old help viewer to read webpages, as the .chm help files are written in html, just like webpages.

the problem is starting up the viewer - it's hh.exe in the windows folder, but doesn't seem to want to start on its own - you need to open up a chm file to get the program running, then click on the question mark icon at top left, which has a 'jump to url' option. then type in the webpage you want - don't forget to include the http://.

i guess it's using the trident rendering engine from internet explorer, as fancy javascript etc all seems to work in the hh.exe.

anyway - download the attached zipped small chm file (from xp help), unzip it, right-click >> properties >> unblock (otherwise it won't open). double-click the file, then the help viewer should open up...

have fun!

mickey megabyte said:

i'm not sure i understand your question correctly.

in order to browse the internet, you need a program that can load and display webpages. among many other things, this program also has to allow the user to click on links to go to another webpage. this type of program is called a browser.

so, no, you can't browse without a browser.

i am also interested to learn how you use notepad in xp to 'jump to url'? as far as i know notepad only reads and edits simple text files. sure it can edit html files, but it cannot display html content, images, links, it can't do javascript, it can't store favourites, it can't download stuff etc etc - it's not a browser.

Click to expand...

Hi there

Not sure I understand the problem either but if you really want a very limited browser then linux has a TEXT browser called LYNX.

I don't think Windows has such a facility but you could use Linux on a Virtual Machine and then use LYNX.

Some sites might not render at all however because of all the extra bells and whistles some sites have added into their code.

Cheers
jimbo