ActiveX is a framework that allows software to be constructed from multiple programming languages and run on a platform that is independent from any specific programming language. ActiveX is often used in web design to provide functionality for various tools and control mechanisms, especially when an external platform stores or runs it. ActiveX can often be found in online flash games, interactive menus, and “widgets,” which are tools that run on one platform, but are controlled by another.

What can ActiveX do for Facebook?

ActiveX plays a critical role in the function of the popular social network, Facebook. Facebook includes many interactive features, such as status streams, flash games, and search functions, that are all dependent on ActiveX controls. The most widely used ActiveX control for Facebook is the “Like” button that can be found on every Facebook page, status stream, picture album, and external websites. Without ActiveX, users could not access any of these features.

 

How to Install the ActiveX Control for Facebook

While ActiveX is essential for Facebook applications to run properly, Internet Explorer is the only Internet browser that allows the user to turn ActiveX on or off. In order to install Active X:

1) Open the Tools menu in Internet Explorer and select “Internet Options.”

2) Select the Security tab in the window that appears and find the “Custom Level” button.

3) Click the Custom Level button and scroll down until the “ActiveX Controls and plug-ins” option appears. By double-clicking this option, a number of sub-options will appear. Select all of the options that have “Recommended” listed beside them and click OK.

4) Restart Internet Explorer and navigate to the page that requested ActiveX. Internet Explorer should now display a yellow bar across the top of the page that will allow the user to install ActiveX Controls.

How to Remove the ActiveX Control from Facebook

1) Re-open Internet Options, select the Security tab, and select the Custom Level button.

2) Scroll through the list until the “ActiveX Controls and plug-ins” option appears. Double-click this option and scroll down the list a little further until an option that reads “Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins” is visible.

3) Select “Disable” and click OK to turn off ActiveX Controls.