How do I add an exception in internet Explorer?

Adding an exception in Internet Explorer primarily involves configuring your proxy server settings to bypass specific addresses or domains. This is often done when certain internal websites or services don't function correctly through your network's proxy server.

When you add an exception, you are instructing Internet Explorer to connect directly to the specified addresses rather than routing the traffic through the configured proxy. This can be crucial for accessing internal resources or certain web applications that have compatibility issues with proxy servers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Proxy Exception

Follow these straightforward steps to add an exception to your Internet Explorer proxy settings:

1. Open Internet Options:

   • Launch Internet Explorer.
   • Click on Tools in the menu bar. If you don't see the menu bar, press the Alt key.
   • Select Internet Options from the dropdown menu.

2. Navigate to Connections Tab:

   • In the Internet Options window, click on the Connections tab.

3. Access LAN Settings:

   • In the Local Area Network (LAN) settings section, click on the LAN settings button. This will open the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings dialog box.

4. Open Advanced Proxy Settings:

   • In the Proxy Server section of the LAN Settings window, ensure the "Use a proxy server for your LAN (These settings will not apply to dial-up or VPN connections)" box is checked if you are using a proxy.
   • Click on the Advanced button. This will bring up the Proxy Settings dialog box.

5. Add Your Exceptions:

   • In the Exceptions section at the bottom of the Proxy Settings window, enter the addresses for which you want to bypass the proxy server.
   • Separate multiple exceptions with a semi-colon (;).
   • You can enter specific IP addresses, domain names, or use wildcards. For example:
     • *.example.com (for all subdomains of example.com)
     • 192.168.1.10 (for a specific IP address)
     • intranet; *.company.local; 10.0.0.0/8 (a combination of internal names, domains, and an IP range)
   • Click OK on all open windows to save your changes.

By following these steps, Internet Explorer will now bypass the proxy server for the addresses you have specified, allowing for direct connections to those destinations. For more detailed information, you can refer to resources such as the City of St. Louis's guide on adding an exception to your proxy settings.