Accessing the Facebook Active-X Control

So here's the problem: 

You want to upload photos into Facebook, but you need to upload a bunch at a time.  There's a simple uploader app, but it only lets you input 5 at a time.  What you need is a batch photo uploader.

Of course, Facebook has made one, but sometimes people don't download it when they're first prompted to.  After that they have trouble finding the prompt they need to get it. 

What's at the heart of this problem is an Active-X object that needs to be both downloaded and installed.  Active-X objects are simply browser plug-ins that work with Internet Explorer.  If you're using IE and some website needs a specialized service (like uploading photos) that site can implement an Active-X object and have that helper program integrate with your web browser.

The "Facebook Photo Uploader" is made by Facebook and usually people get it when they first make an album.  The normal progression is, you name your album and click "Create Album."  Then you're taken to an upload page where, usually a block appears at the top of the screen asking:

This website wants to install the following add-on:

'Facebook Photo Uploader' from "facebook, Inc.'.

If you trust the website and the add-on and want to install it, click here…

How to Get the Uploader Back

If you fail to click the prompt, you may have trouble getting it again.  To ensure that the prompt is activated when you return, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the TOOLS menu on the Internet Explorer taskbar. 
2. Click on INTERNET OPTIONS and click on the SECURITY tab.
3. Click on the button that says CUSTOM LEVEL
4. This list is where you can tell Internet Explorer which features to allow or disallow specific items.  Because some Active-X objects can be made by malicious vendors, IE protects you by not downloading them automatically.  The annoying part is, if you reject a prompt, it often won't show up again.  Scroll down the list until you see a set of options describing Active-X objects.  There you should be able to "Enable" options that will allow previously unused Active-X controls to re-prompt or Enable Automatic Prompting.
5. Once you've configured the items on the list, click OK, and then click OK on the security Tab.

Now you can Navigate to the upload page again and the prompt should be there, asking if you want to install the Active-X control for the Facebook Photo Uploader.  If you're already on the upload page, refresh it and the prompt should appear.  If that doesn't work; try closing and re-starting your browser, then navigating back into Facebook.

A word to the wise:

Active-X controls are extremely useful but some can be harmful.  Make sure to monitor the objects being installed on your PC.  If you feel safer having your system set up as it was before, you can always click RESET on the CUSTOM LEVEL dialog and restore the settings to the way they were without altering the Active-X objects already in place.