A client of mine was trying to visit a web site they use for medical research in Internet Explorer 8 and was obtaining an error from the web site. The site noted that cookies and JavaScript must be enabled to use the site which according to the client were both enabled. Below are instructions on how to enable JavaScript in IE8 as well as how to verify that cookies are enabled in IE8 as well.
Enable JavaScript In IE8:
**NOTE** Please note that enabling JavaScript can be a security risk so when following the below instructions proceed with caution.
First open IE8 Internet Options by clicking on Tools from the Internet Explorer navigation bar as shown in the below example image.
After clicking Internet Options the below configuration window will open.
Click the Security tab to display the below configuration window.
Make sure that Internet is highlighted at the top of the Internet Options configuration window as shown above and then click the Custom Level button to open the “Security Settings – Internet Zone” details window as shown below.
If you have made custom changes to the Internet Explorer settings previously you should note them so if you need to manually apply them after we reset the Internet Options Security Settings. Next to “Reset to:” change the drop down to Medium as shown below.
Once the drop down has been set to Medium click the Reset button to change the IE8 Security Settings to Medium level. After you click Reset a pop up warning will display as shown below.
Click the Yes button to reset the Internet Security Settings to the Medium level. Click the OK button to close the Security Settings details, then click the Apply button to save the changes, and then click the OK button to close the Internet Options window.
Test To Verify JavaScript Is Enabled In Internet Explorer 8:
Before testing you should close all Internet Explorer 8 windows first. Once they are all closed open a new IE8 window and attempt to visit the web site that was producing the JavaScript must be enabled error. If you are still experiencing issues you should try to enable Cookies to see if that resolves the problem.
Great work-around for a common problem. Nice work on this simple and clear tutorial!
Cheers,
Kyler
IE Outreach Team
Hello Kyler,
Thanks man. Your feedback is much appreciated.
Thanks.
alex
Sure thing, send us a tweet @IE if you write another tutorial so we can share with our followers!
Thanks,
Kyler
IE Outreach
Hello Kyler,
Will do. Thanks again.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks, This was very helpful!
Hello Mike,
No problem. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.
Thanks.
alex
Didn’t work. Still getting a ‘JavaScript disabled’ msg from the website. May very well be that the company set up the website (or JS checker) incorrectly. Using IE 8.0.6001.19019 256-bit on Vista
Hello John,
I would agree. As long as you configured IE8 in the manner explained in the article things should be working properly. You might also try whitelisting the site in question in the security profile to see if that resolves the issue.
Hope that helps.
Thanks.
alex