To appear less static, websites rely on technologies like Java Script to provide immediate and intelligent interaction, or present animation and other visual effects. In fact, some websites may not display correctly if Java Script--sometimes used as a synonym for ECMAScript or JScript--has been disabled within your Web browser. Java Script is usually enabled by default, but if you need to activate Java Script manually, it will involve several steps that vary between brands of Web browsers. After you attempt to activate Java Script, you can also run a simple test to ensure you were successful.
Instructions
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. To activate Web scripts in Internet Explorer, you must change the Web browser's security settings. Open up Internet Explorer, click on the "Tools" menu and select "Internet Options."
2. At the top of the window that appears, click the "Security" tab and then press the "Custom level ..." button.
3. Scroll down to the Settings list to the section labeled "Scripting options." Under the "Active Scripting" heading, click either the "Prompt" or "Enable" option.
4. Click the "OK" button in the bottom right corner of the "Security Settings" dialog box to close it, then click the "OK" button in the bottom right corner of the "Internet Options" to return to the main browser window.
5. To ensure the change you've made took effect, you can visit a website that uses scripts. At the top of a Web browser window, click on the location bar, type the Web address w3schools.com/js/ and press the "Enter" key. Scroll down the Web page until you see the first green button that reads "Try it Yourself," and click that button. If a window appears with the message "Scripts are usually safe. Do you want to allow scripts to run?" then click the "Yes" button. If the message "This is my first JavaScript!" appears, you have successfully activated Java Script.
Mozilla Firefox
6. To activate Java Script in Firefox, open Firefox, click on the "Tools" menu and select "Options ... "
7. At the top of the window that appears, click the "Content" icon, then click the checkbox labeled "Enable JavaScript."
8. Click the "OK" button at the bottom of the "Options" window to return to the main browser window.
9. To ensure the change you've made took effect, use the test outlined in the last step of the "Internet Explorer" section to verify that you successfully activated Java Script.
Apple Safari
10. To activate Java Script in Apple's Safari browser, open Safari, click on the "Edit" menu and select "Options ... "
11. At the top of the window that appears, click the "Security" icon, then click the checkbox labeled "Enable JavaScript."
12. Click the button in the title bar of the "Security" preferences dialog box to return to the main browser window.
13. To ensure the change you've made took effect, use the test outlined in the last step of the "Internet Explorer" section to verify that you successfully activated Java Script.
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