"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,820 tips!

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8

Play a Sound When a Feed or Web Slice is Discovered

SUMMARY: Have Internet Explorer 8 audibly notify you when a feed or Web Slice is discovered for a webpage, and customize the sound.

If you frequently use feeds and Web Slices in Internet Explorer 8, you might want extra notification when the browser notices a feed or Web Slice for the current web page. Thus, you can configure the browser to play a sound in these situations.

1. Access the Internet Options dialog box. If the menu bar is visible, you can select "Tools" - "Internet Options". If the Command Bar is visible, click the "Tools" button and select "Internet Options". If neither are available, try typing Alt + T then O.

Accessing Internet Explorer 8 options via the Command Bar

2. When the "Internet Options" dialog box appears, click the "Content" tab.

3. Underneath "Feeds and Web Slices", click the "Settings" button.

Accessing Internet Explorer 8 Feed and Web Slice settings

4. The "Feed and Web Slice Settings" dialog box appears. Underneath "Advanced", check "Play a sound when a feed or Web Slice is found for a webpage".

5. Click "OK" on the dialog boxes to close them and store your settings.

To change the sound played, access the Sounds Control Panel and change the sound for the following Program Event: "Windows Explorer - Feed Discovered".

Configuring a sound to play on a Windows XP machine when Internet Explorer 8 notices a feed or Web Slice for a page