Avant Browser is a standalone application designed to expand features provided by Internet Explorer. It adds a bunch of features and functionalities to IE and its user-friendly interface brings a new level of clarity and efficiency to your browsing experience, and frequent upgrades have steadily improved its reliability. 

Features

An early version of Avant Browser

Interface

Tabbing

  • User-customizable tabbed interface
  • Progress bar on each tab (optional)
  • Tab locking, duplication, and drop-and-drag arrangement
  • Automatically save and reopen any number of pages
  • Can restore open pages after system crash
  • Undo menu for last 25 closed tabs
  • All pages open in single process, reducing resource demands
  • Multiple home pages

Tools

  • Compatible with many Internet Explorer toolbars and add-ins, including Google toolbar
  • Highlight marker to find keywords on any page (the words also used by the search engine)
  • Facility for user to add custom-made function buttons
  • RSS feed reader built in
  • URL alias facility to create keyboard shortcuts to favorite sites
  • Page zoom slider - 25% to 500%
  • Full desktop mode - hides toolbars
  • Full screen mode - hides toolbars and taskbar
  • Compact mode - saves interface space
  • Boss button - quickly hides browser
  • Tray icon - keeps Avant running in system tray for fast access (optional)
  • Mouse gestures (customizable)
  • Autoscroll facility for hands-free reading
  • Context-activated floating toolbars to save and edit images, text and Flash
  • Customizable right-click menu entries
  • Quick translation menu
  • 15 interface languages available so far
  • Automatic page refresh at custom intervals
  • Sidebar access to:
    • Advanced search
    • Blocked URL record
    • History
    • Bookmarks
    • Feeds

Appearance

  • Fully skinnable:
    • Range of bundled skin options (21 total)
    • Accessory application allows user to create own skins
  • Highly customizable:
    • Toolbars can be rearranged freely
    • Most functions may be accessed from either toolbar buttons or menus
    • All Buttons and menus are optional

Security and privacy

  • Push-button quick blocking of unwanted items (Popups, Adverts, ActiveX, Java, Scripts, Flash, Video, Sound, Images)
  • Customizable black/white lists for popups and ad servers
  • Multiple proxy servers may be configured
  • Browsing tracks cleaner - can clear traces automatically
  • Windows XP Service Pack 2 security extensions can be integrated

Search

  • Search bar with separate engines configurable for web, images, groups, directories and news
  • Search within site, search within page, and target word highlight buttons
  • Quick Search facility - user can configure any engine for searches from the address bar
  • Similar websites toolbar - searches in background for pages that relate to the current

Bookmarks and online storage

  • Online secure bookmark, feed and setting storage - allows access of same browser setup anywhere
  • Portable flash drive version allows running of Avant without installation
  • Bookmark search
  • Bookmark validation
  • Bookmark toolbar for fast link access
  • Bookmarks can be arranged in task-orientated groups that can be opened together or individually
  • Optionally uses Internet Explorer favorites

Screenshots