If you have a relatively recent copy of Windows (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, or Windows 2000), then you already have Microsoft's Internet Explorer on your machine. So, there isn't anything that you need to do to get a browser.

Microsoft only has one major rival in the browser business, Netscape. It's possible that Netscape is already loaded on your computer, but not as likely. The two browsers are not really that different. So, if you have one loaded on your machine, you might as well use it. As you become more comfortable with downloading and installing software applications, you may decide to change browsers.

If you choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that isn't already on your computer, then they will probably provide you with a startup disk or CD. Frequently, the startup disk will install a customized version of one these two browsers on your machine.