In Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP, using Internet Explorer, how do I get a prompt to dial up to the Internet?

Before you begin, make sure that you have a Windows Dial-up Networking connection icon. To do this, from the Start menu, select Control Panel and then Network Connections. If you have a connection icon, it will appear in Network Connections.

Note: The Windows XP default desktop view and Start menu are different from the Windows Classic View (e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be different. In the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base instructions assume you are using Classic View. For information about switching your Windows XP default view to Classic View, see In Windows XP, how do I switch to the Windows Classic View, Classic theme, or Classic Control Panel?

To set up Windows to prompt you to dial up to the Internet when you use Internet Explorer, follow these steps:

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, then Control Panel.
   
   
2. Find the Internet Options icon and double-click it.
   
   
3. From the Connections tab, select Dial whenever a network connection is not present.
   
   
4. If needed, highlight your preferred default connection and click the Set Default button.

Also see:

• How does call waiting affect a modem connection, and how can I deactivate it?