Browser guide

 Print this page

What is an operating system?

What is a Web browser?

How can I tell which browser I am using?

Which browsers and operating systems work best with Vanguard.com?

What is an operating system?

Your operating system is the program that controls your computer. When you purchase most computers, they already have an operating system installed on them. The three most popular operating system families are Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh, and Linux. Each operating system family comes in specific versions. If you're running Windows, you may be running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. If you're using a Macintosh, you may be running OS X 10.4 (Tiger), OS X 10.5 (Leopard), OSX10.6 (Snow Leopard). . Generally, if you want to upgrade your operating system, you need to purchase the upgrade from Microsoft, Apple, or a software reseller.

Return to top

What is a Web browser?

Your Web browser is the computer program you use to view webpages. In most cases, the Web browser that you use is not specific to your Internet Service Provider (the company you pay to connect to the Internet). The most popular Web browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, America Online, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari. (Note that America Online as a company is an Internet Service Provider, but the America Online software contains both a Web browser and an e-mail reader, along with other features.) Some Web browsers only run on certain operating systems.

Return to top

How can I tell which browser I'm using?

Most people launch their Web browser by double-clicking an icon on their desktop, in their Dock, or on their Task Bar. To find out which browser and version you're using:

Windows users:

  • If you click an icon that looks like a big blue e, you're probably using Microsoft Internet Explorer. Click Help in the toolbar and select About Internet Explorer to find out which version of Internet Explorer you're running.
  • If you double-click a triangular icon, you're probably using America Online. Click Help at the top of your AOL screen and select About America Online to find out which version of AOL you're running.
  • If you double-click an icon that looks like a blue ball with an orange fox wrapped around it, you're probably using Mozilla Firefox. Click Help in the toolbar and select About Mozilla Firefox to find out which version you're running.
  • If you double-click an icon that looks like a green, blue, yellow, and red ball you’re probably using Google Chrome, Click the wrench icon and select About Google Chrome to find out which version you're running.

Macintosh users

  • If you double-click an icon that looks like a blue ball with an orange fox wrapped around it, you're probably using Firefox. Click the Firefox menu and select About Mozilla Firefox to find out which version you're running.
  • If you double-click an icon that looks like a compass, you're probably using Apple Safari. Click the Safari menu and select About Safari to find out which version you're running.

There are many other Web browsers available for accessing the Internet. The steps used to check the browser and version are similar for all of them. If you don't see your browser listed above, check the Help menu or the application's menu for an About choice.

Return to top

Which browsers and operating systems work best with institutional.vanguard.com ?

Not all browsers or operating systems work equally well with our site. For best results, we recommend the following:

Windows users:

We recommend running Windows XP,  Windows Vista, or Windows 7 and using one of the following browsers:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 , 7.0, or 8.0
  • Firefox 3.x
  • AOL 9.0
  • Google Chrome 3.x or 4.x

Macintosh users:

We recommend running Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), 10.5 (Leopard), or 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and using one of the following browsers:

  • Safari 4.0
  • Firefox 3.x

To upgrade your existing IE browser, go to the Microsoft website to download the latest version. To upgrade your existing FireFox browser go to the Mozilla website to download the latest version.

Return to top