This article describes how to enable the Auto Disconnect feature in Internet Explorer.

The Auto Disconnect feature is designed to terminate the connection to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) after a designated period of inactivity. In addition, it prompts you to disconnect from your ISP after you close all instances of Internet Explorer.

When you change the Auto Disconnect option, the setting may not take affect immediately. You will need to close Internet Explorer and disconnect from your ISP. When you reconnect to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), the settings should take affect.

To enable the Auto Disconnect feature, use the appropriate method:

Windows Millennium Edition

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet.
2. Click the Connections tab, click your Dial-Up Networking connection, and then click Settings.
3. Under Dial-up Settings, click Properties.
4. Click the Dialing tab.
5. Click the Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed check box to select it.
6. Click OK, click OK, and then click OK again.

Internet Explorer 5, 5.01, 5.01 Service Pack 1, 5.5, Windows 98 Second Edition

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.
2. Click the Connections tab, click your Dial-Up Networking connection, and then click Settings.
3. Under Dial-up Settings, click Advanced.
4. Click the Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed check box to select it.
5. Click OK, click OK, and then click OK again.

Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1, Windows 98

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet.
3. Click the Connection tab, and then click Settings.
4. Click the "Disconnect if idle for nn minutes" check box to select it.
5. Set the number of minutes you want Internet Explorer to remain idle before it disconnects from your ISP.
6. Click OK, and then click OK again.

Internet Explorer 3.0, 3.01, and 3.02

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet.
3. Click the Connection tab, click the "Disconnect if idle for n minutes" check box to select it, and then click OK. Note that n is an number of minutes you can adjust up or down.

Internet Explorer 2.0

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Internet.
3. Click the AutoDial tab, click the Auto Disconnect check box to select it, and then click OK.
   
   NOTE: The AutoDial check box must be selected for the Auto Disconnect check box to be available.