PlayInfoBox

Home /Utilities /How to Add a Trusted Site in Windows Internet Options

How to Add a Trusted Site in Windows Internet Options

Tap a step to see more detail.

  1. Open Internet Options from the Control Panel

    Type Internet Options into the Start menu search box to launch it directly, or find it under Network and Internet in the Control Panel.

  2. Go to the Security tab

    When the Internet Properties window opens, click the Security tab at the top. You will see four zones: Internet, Local intranet, Trusted sites, and Restricted sites.

  3. Select the Trusted sites zone

    Click the Trusted sites icon in the list, then click the Sites button below it.

  4. Add the site's address

    In the new window, enter the address of the site you want to register and click Add. If it is an internal system without HTTPS, you will need to uncheck Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone before you can add it.

  5. Check the security level

    Back on the Security tab, check the security level slider for Trusted sites. The default is Medium, and you can lower it if needed.

  6. Why this matters for legacy business systems

    A legacy intranet portal or internal workflow system built on older browser technology often gets blocked by default security policies and stops working correctly. Adding that site to the Trusted sites zone relaxes those restrictions so the site's features work as intended.

Why this setting is sometimes necessary

A company intranet or internal approval system built with older, browser-specific technology can run into trouble under default security policies and lose some functionality. Registering that specific site in the Trusted sites zone lets you use its features without issues, without weakening security for every other site you visit.

Adding a site here is different from changing your default browser settings

Internet Options is a legacy Windows control panel that predates the modern Settings app, and it still governs security zones that many everyday browser settings screens do not expose. Knowing that this older panel still controls zone-based trust settings, separate from your browser's own settings, helps when a workplace system asks you to add this site to trusted sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does adding a site to Trusted sites create a security risk?

It only relaxes certain restrictions for that specific site, so it is safest to add only internal systems or sites you genuinely trust - not general websites you visit casually.

How do I remove a site I added?

Go back through the same path, select the address you want to remove from the site list, and click Remove.