How to Configure Internet Explorer to Read Newsgroups

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Internet Explorer can be configured to read messages posted to Internet newsgroups, reply to messages posted to Internet newsgroups, or post new messages to Internet newsgroups. This functionality is included with Internet Explorer version 2.0, but it is not enabled by default. To configure Internet Explorer to read Internet newsgroups, see the appropriate section below.

NOTE: Internet Explorer can be configured to read Internet newsgroups only if your news server supports Network News Transport Protocol (NNTP). Because MSN, The Microsoft Network, does not support NNTP, you cannot use Internet Explorer to read Internet newsgroups if MSN is the only news server you have access to.

If Your News Server Is MSN

If MSN is the only news server you have access to, you must use MSN to read Internet newsgroups instead of Internet Explorer. However, after Internet Explorer and MSN have been configured properly, you do not need to quit Internet Explorer and start MSN to read Internet newsgroups. To configure Internet Explorer and MSN to read Internet newsgroups, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the Microsoft Network icon on the desktop, click Settings, verify that the "Internet and MSN" service type is selected, click OK, and then click Cancel.
2. On the View menu in Internet Explorer, click Options.
3. Click the News tab, and then verify that the "Use Internet Explorer to read Internet newsgroups" check box is cleared.

To read Internet newsgroups from Internet Explorer after performing these steps, click Read Newsgroups on the Go menu. Internet Explorer automatically starts MSN and a list of available newsgroups is displayed. To read Internet newsgroups directly from MSN, click Categories from MSN Central, double-click the Internet Center folder, and then double-click the Internet Newsgroups folder.

If Your News Server Is Not MSN

If your news server supports NNTP, you can use Internet Explorer to read Internet newsgroups. To configure Internet Explorer to read Internet newsgroups, follow these steps:

1. On the View menu in Internet Explorer, click Options.
2. Click the News tab, and then click the "Use Internet Explorer to read Internet newsgroups" check box to select it.
3. Type the Internet address of your news server in the News Server Address box. If your news server requires authorization, click the This Server Requires Authorization check box to select it, and then type the appropriate user name and password in the User Name and Password boxes.
   
   NOTE: If you currently have an account with an Internet service provider, contact your Internet service provider to obtain the Internet address of their news server and the user name and password required for authorization, if authorization is required.

To read Internet newsgroups after performing these steps, click Read Newsgroups on the Go menu in Internet Explorer.