The question of What’s that user agent string used for? should has been duly answered in the previous post. The next question is about How to change or spoof user agent string?

The structure of Internet Explorer user agent string.

The template of user agent string used by Microsoft Internet Explorer.

    Why there is a need to change or spoof user agent string?

    Well, this question should have been answered in the previous post too. In short, changing or spoofing user agent string is needed when online security is a concern or to bypass web services access restriction for certain type of web browser.

    For example, Adobe Reader download site will display different download page according to the web browser that visiting the site, limit or auto pick up Adobe Reader version for the OS type in the user agent string, force Adobe Updater to manage Adobe Reader download progress. So, by changing the user agent string, one can directly download any Adobe Reader version of any platforms or languages with Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, without using the Adobe Updater or Opera web browser!

How to change User Agent String of Internet Explorer?

For Internet Explorer 6 SP2 on Windows 2000 and IE7 For Windows XP, open up Windows Registry Editor to locate this Registry key:

HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings5.0User Agent More >