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Help indexFrequently asked questions
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Technical requirements for getting the most out of this site


Web browsers

Use of cookies

Web images

Pop-up windows

Cascading style sheets (CSS)

JavaScript

Text size

Security

 

Web browsers

This site has been designed for screen resolutions of 800 x 600 or greater, and has been optimised for use on Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and above and Netscape 7 and above.

The latest version of Internet Explorer is available to download from the Microsoft website. Download Microsoft Internet ExplorerExternal website - link opens in a new window

The latest version of Netscape Navigator is available to download from the Netscape website. Download Netscape NavigatorExternal website - link opens in a new window

Please see our list of plug-ins and file formats for more detailed information on what you need to view additional content on this site.

Use of cookies

When you visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk, you can surf the site anonymously and access important information without revealing your identity. In order to improve our site, we use "cookies" to track your visit.

A cookie is small amount of data that is transferred to your browser by a Web server and can only be read by the server that gave it to you. It functions as your identification card, recording your passwords, purchases, and preferences. It cannot be executed as code or deliver viruses.

Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. You can set your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie, giving you the chance to decide whether or not to accept it. (For some Web pages that require an authorisation, cookies are not optional. Users choosing not to accept cookies will probably not be able to access those pages.)

How to enable and disable browser cookies? Read enable and disable browser cookiesExternal website - link opens in a new window

Web images

To ensure you enjoy the visual experience of this site, please do not disable image display in your browser.

Most web browsers can be set to display graphic images, or to ignore them. With Netscape Navigator, enable images by selecting "Auto Load Images" under the "Options" menu. If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, you can enable images in the "Options" which you will find under the "View" menu.

Pop-up windows

This site uses pop-ups to help display additional content.

Most pop-up blocking programs allows users to let a pop-up appear on a one-time basis by pressing and holding the CTRL key as you click on a link to navigate to a new page. Some blocking programs even allow you to add a "whitelist" (as opposed to a "blacklist"). In this case, ensure www.nationalarchives.gov.uk is included in the whitelist.

Cascading style sheets (CSS)

This site uses cascading style sheets (CSS) to make the web content more accessible. Please ensure the CSS option is enabled on your browser.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a cross-platform scripting language developed by Netscape and is used by web developers to build dynamic menus, create forms etc. Although the majority of this site can work without JavaScript, you will find it a more enjoyable experience if your browser allows for JavaScript.

Internet Explorer for Windows:

  1. From the "Tools" menu choose "Internet Options"
  2. Click on the "Security" tab (usually second from the left)
  3. Click on the "Custom Level" button
  4. Scroll down the page until you see the heading "Scripting". Beneath it is another heading, "Active Scripting". Make sure that you click on the button next to the word "Enable"
  5. You will probably have to close your browser and reopen it for the change to take effect

To enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer for Apple Mac:

In OSX:

  1. From the Explorer menu choose "Preferences"
  2. Click on "Web Content"
  3. There should be a heading on the bottom right of the screen saying "Active Content"
  4. Check the box next to "Enable Scripting"

In OS9

  1. From the "Edit" menu choose "Preferences"
  2. Click on the heading "Web Browser"
  3. Click on the link that says "Web Content"
  4. There should be a heading on the bottom right of the screen saying "Active Content"
  5. Check the box next to "Enable Scripting"

Netscape Navigator v4.0+:

  1. From the "Edit" menu, choose "Preferences"
  2. Click on "Advanced"
  3. Click in the check-box next to "Enable JavaScript"
  4. Click "OK"
  5. Click on the "Reload" button to activate JavaScript

JavaScript in Netscape v6.0+:

  1. From the "Edit" menu, choose "Preferences"
  2. Click on the arrow next to "Advanced"
  3. Click on "Scripts & Plug-ins"
  4. At the top of the page it says "Enable JavaScript for" and below it says "Navigator" - check the box next to Navigator
  5. Click "OK"
  6. Click on the "Reload" button to activate JavaScript

Text size

If you find the text on this site too small or too big, you can change it using your browser menu. The default size for most browsers is "medium" or "100%".

Tip: You will need to adjust the size in this "popup" window and in the main window.

Screen shot showing how to change text size in IE6

Internet Explorer:

  1. From the "View" menu on your browser select "Text Size"
  2. Select the desired text size

Netscape Navigator v4.0+:

  1. Select the "View" menu on your browser
  2. Select either "Increase Font" or "Decrease Font" to achieve the desired font size

Netscape in Netscape v6.0+:

  1. Select the "View" menu on your browser
  2. Scroll to "Text Zoom"
  3. Select the desired text size

We would like to hear from you if you have had trouble with the text size on this website. Please tell us your operating system, for example "Windows XP"; your browser, for example "Internet Explorer 5.5" and your Internet Service Provider, for example "AOL" or "BT". We would also like to know what size you have chosen as your browser text size, for example "medium". Please use this contact form

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Security

It is very important that you keep your credit or debit card details safe. Read through this section on security to check that your browser is secure and how to update it if it isn't. Your credit or debit card data is secure because it is encrypted using 128bit encryption. When you connect to the secure financial parts of this site you will see a padlock at the bottom of your screen.

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a technology developed by Netscape Communications Corporation. 128bit encryption is the highest level of encryption available on the Internet today.

Most browsers can support 128bit encryption, however, just because your browser can support it, it doesn't mean that you have it installed. You can download free upgrades from Microsoft's and Netscape's websites. You can take the following steps to ensure you have the correct level of encryption:

Internet Explorer:

Internet Explorer lists the security in its Help menu, under "About Internet Explorer". Next to the section marked "Cipher Strength" it will say 128-bit if you have the 128-bit secure browser.

Netscape Navigator:

Netscape Navigator for Windows lists its security level in its Help menu, under "About Netscape". In the Mac version, it is listed under the Apple icon. In the section marked "RSA Encryption", a sentence in bold describes either "US" or "International" security. The US refers to 128-bit and International to 40-bit or 56-bit encryption.

Your credit card details are encrypted so that no one else can read them. However, if you are accessing the Internet on a shared computer, in a library or Internet café for example, you might want to take the following additional steps:

Internet Explorer:

Stop Internet Explorer from saving encrypted pages to disk

  1. Click on "Tools" (or "View" if using IE 4.01) in the menu bar at the top of the screen
  2. Select "Internet Options"
  3. Click on the "Advanced" tab
  4. Scroll down to the "Security" section
  5. Make sure that the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" option is ticked
  6. Click on "OK"

And to clear the cache:

Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on "Tools" (or "View" if using IE 4.01) in the menu bar at the top of the screen
  2. Select "Internet Options" and click on the "General" tab
  3. On the "Temporary Internet Files" portion of the screen, click the "Delete Files" button
  4. Note that it is not necessary to select the "Delete all offline content" option

Netscape Communicator:

  1. Click on "Edit" in the menu bar at the top of the screen
  2. Select "Preferences" and double-click on "Advanced"
  3. Click on "Cache" on the drop-down menu
  4. On the right-hand side click the "Clear Memory Cache" and "Clear Disk Cache" buttons

Ensure you close the browser when you have finished.
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