How to Enable ActiveX in Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

ActiveX is a tool that has been a mainstay in the Windows operating system for years, integral for a variety of interactive web services. If you’re using Windows 10, there are specific steps you need to follow to enable ActiveX controls. These controls are vital for certain web pages to function correctly, especially those that require user interaction or host certain types of multimedia content.

To enable ActiveX, you usually start within your designated browser settings. In the case of older browsers like Internet Explorer, this is done through the Internet Options menu, under the Security tab. It’s important to note that newer browsers, including Microsoft Edge, do not support ActiveX controls due to security improvements and a shift towards modern web standards.

We often manage these settings by accessing the Custom Level options, where you can adjust how ActiveX controls operate. Be aware that adjusting ActiveX settings can affect your system’s security. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain a balance between functionality and security when altering ActiveX configurations.

Contents

1 Understanding ActiveX and Its Role in Windows 10
2 Enabling ActiveX in Internet Explorer
3 Alternative Approaches and Considerations
- 3.1 Handling ActiveX in Other Browsers
- 3.2 Risks and Precautions When Using ActiveX

Understanding ActiveX and Its Role in Windows 10

ActiveX is integral to the Windows 10 ecosystem, serving as a bridge for interactive web content and providing a framework for software applications. Here, we unveil the essentials of ActiveX, its application in modern browsing, and the critical security considerations one must take into account.

The Basics of ActiveX

ActiveX controls are component software used by various applications within Microsoft Windows. They are intended to be reusable and are commonly employed by Internet Explorer to provide functionality that the browser alone may not offer—such as streaming videos, running animations, or viewing certain file types.

In Windows 10, these controls are typically employed by legacy systems and applications that require specific functionality which is not natively supported by the operating system or the newer browser, Microsoft Edge.

ActiveX in Modern Browsing

With the advent of Microsoft Edge, ActiveX controls are not supported as they were in Internet Explorer. Edge was developed with a focus on security and performance and does not support these plugins as Internet Explorer did. However, for enterprise compatibility, Windows 10 includes Internet Explorer 11 which allows the use of ActiveX controls for backward compatibility.

Browser	ActiveX Support	Notes
Internet Explorer 11	Yes	Legacy support in Windows 10
Microsoft Edge	No	Focused on security and performance

Security Aspects of ActiveX Controls

We must remain vigilant in the face of the potential security risks posed by ActiveX controls. These software components can execute a great deal of actions on our computers, making them a target for misuse by malicious websites or applications. To mitigate these risks, Microsoft brought security enhancements via publisher certification and an improved permission model.

It’s essential to ensure that ActiveX controls are only allowed to run from trusted sources. Windows 10 helps manage this by providing a feature that prompts the user when an application attempts to install or run an ActiveX control.

Enabling ActiveX in Internet Explorer

We need to ensure that our Windows 10 system can run ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer for enhanced interaction with web services. Let’s walk through the necessary steps.

Accessing Internet Options

The first step we’ll take is to access the Internet Options within Internet Explorer. To do this, open Internet Explorer and click on the Tools menu (or the gear icon), then select Internet Options.

Adjusting Security Settings for ActiveX

Once the Internet Options dialog box is open, click the Security tab. Here, we’ll focus on adjusting the setting to ensure ActiveX controls can run properly.

Action	Menu/Tab	Settings to Choose
Modify Security Level	Security Tab	Click on Custom Level…

Within the Security settings, go to Custom level…. In this menu, we’re going to adjust the permissions for ActiveX controls.

Managing ActiveX Controls and Plug-Ins

Under the Custom level settings, we will find a range of options for ActiveX controls and plug-ins. It is crucial for our applications, especially those that play video or require script interaction, to find and adjust these specific settings:

Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Choose Enable to allow the controls to run.
Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting: Select Enable to allow scripts to interact with the ActiveX controls.

Remember, after making these changes, click OK and restart Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.

Making these adjustments will enable our web browsers to use ActiveX controls, thus ensuring compatibility with web pages and applications that rely on this technology.

Alternative Approaches and Considerations

Managing ActiveX in Windows 10 requires understanding alternative browsers’ compatibility and ensuring security measures. Let’s look at how to handle these aspects effectively.

Handling ActiveX in Other Browsers

ActiveX is a Microsoft framework designed for Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, browsers like Chrome and others do not support ActiveX natively due to its close ties with Windows-centric technologies. When our organization’s systems rely on ActiveX for operations such as scanning cheques, we often find ourselves needing to use Internet Explorer or IE Tab extensions that emulate IE within other browsers. This workaround allows us to continue using ActiveX controls without fully relying on Internet Explorer.

Risks and Precautions When Using ActiveX

ActiveX controls can pose risks, as they have potential vulnerabilities that malware can exploit. Given the age of ActiveX and its decreased maintenance, we must be cautious when enabling it. We advise the following precautions: regular updates, employing antivirus software, and implementing strict web browsing rules. This reduces the risk of security breaches, safeguarding our systems from potential threats and ensuring the safe use of ActiveX in necessary situations.