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jacour
Premium Member
join:2001-12-11
Matthews, NC

jacour

Premium Member

[IE] Which IE9 version should I use

With deep regret, I finally decided that after eight years of faithful service that it was time to replace my laptop, so I ordered a new one with a Win 7 Pro, 64-bit OS. I assume that comes with IE9-x64 pre-installed. I know a lot of people used to run the 32 bit version of IE9 due to early incompatibility issues with ActiveX, but when I Googled around I see that most of those threads were dated before the middle of 2011 so I suspect many of those issues have been ironed out. I saw nothing recent that gave a clear opinion one way orthe other.

What is the conventional wisdom these days? Do I want to install a 32 bit version or just go with the preinstalled version?

redxii
Mod
join:2001-02-26
Michigan
Asus RT-AC3100
Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH2

redxii

Mod

Maybe the laptop manufacturer will install it but IE9 doesn't come with Windows 7. Windows 7 64-bit comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit IE and updates/upgrades both as well. Since both come together you can switch between them at anything and will use the same settings and history. If you're unsure about plugin compatibility then use 32-bit, all the plug ins I care about are 64-bit but they are very few.

plencnerb
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join:2000-09-25
53403-1242

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Make IE the default browser
redxii See Profile is correct. By default, Windows 7 Pro 64 bit will come with Internet Explorer 8 installed by default. There will be a shortcut called "Internet Explorer (64-bit)" and "Internet Explorer". The one without anything at the end is the 32 bit version of Internet Explorer.

Depending on where you ordered your laptop, that vendor may apply the Windows Updates that have come out since Windows 7 Pro was released, and this may include installing Internet Explorer 9.

Like version 8, version 9 has 2 shortcuts (one for the 64 bit version, and one for the 32 bit).

The main reason to not use the 64 bit version of IE is due to 3rd party plug-ins and other Active X controls. As you have pointed out, most of those issues have been resolved, and there are quite a number of plug-ins that work in both a 32 bit and 64 bit browser (Java and Adobe Flash are two that come to mind). However, there are still some that may only work in a 32 bit browser.

I have IE9 installed, but use another browser (Waterfox). When my girlfriend got a new laptop, I was going to upgrade her from Firefox (32 bit) to Waterfox (64 bit). However, I had to switch her back to Firefox, as she uses the AOL Radio Toolbar, and that would not install on Waterfox. I also confirmed that it would not work on IE9 64 bit. Another Plug-In that does not work on IE 9 64 bit (as well as Waterfox) is the one that is used on the Garmin Webpage. Its purpose is to connect to your GPS that you have connected to your computer, so you can install Map Updates, new features, and so on. That plug-in only works on a 32 bit version of the browser.

These are just two examples of browser plug-ins that don't work on a 64 bit browser. There may be others, but it really depends on what plug-ins you have. If the ones you use run on a 64 bit browser, then you should not have any issues.

However, there is a 2nd issue that comes into play here, and it goes along with the picture I have posted.

All browsers have a setting where you can select to make a given browser the "Default" browser on your system. In the case of IE (and Firefox / Waterfox), you can also have it check to make sure it is always the default browser on startup. This is useful, so that you have the right browser set as your default if you have multiple browsers installed.

What's interesting is that you cannot make IE9 64 bit the default browser. It says so right on that screen. Of course, this could be due to the fact that when IE8 (and IE9) first came out, there was a lot of plug-ins that did not work on a 64 bit browser. Today, that is not the case, but Microsoft has not come out with an update to modify IE9 to allow you to have IE9 64 bit be the default browser. There may be ways to get around that (registry hack), but I don't have that information.

--Brian
drhoward_t
join:2012-05-08
Saint Louis, MO

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said by jacour:

What is the conventional wisdom these days?

The conventional wisdom these days is not to use IE at all. Use any other browser if you want a rich, modern web experience. Never, ever use IE.
moes
Premium Member
join:2009-11-15
Cedar City, UT

moes

Premium Member

said by drhoward_t:

said by jacour:

What is the conventional wisdom these days?

The conventional wisdom these days is not to use IE at all. Use any other browser if you want a rich, modern web experience. Never, ever use IE.

firefox or chrome, avoid opera and IE.
drhoward_t
join:2012-05-08
Saint Louis, MO

drhoward_t

Member

Why Opera? I have no issues with it.

PeteC2
Got Mouse?
MVM
join:2002-01-20
Bristol, CT

1 recommendation

PeteC2

MVM

said by drhoward_t:

Why Opera? I have no issues with it.

Because everybody doesn't like something. Go figure, eh? I tried Chrome...several times...absolutely does not impress me.

I use IE9 64 bit, and am quite satisfied with it. All the carping to the contrary will not change that.

At the end of the day - one should use whichever browser one prefers. (its a free country, eh?)

jacour, as mentioned previously, most of the incompatibilities with IE9 64 bit have been resolved though you still could run into a hiccup, based on what you run. I have been running IE9 64 for a good while now and it performs well.

The beauty in all this is that there is really no compelling reason to make an all or nothing decision anyway! I have run at least half a dozen different browsers/versions over the past 6 months..."Its a big tent, with plenty of room for all!"
moes
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join:2009-11-15
Cedar City, UT

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I've found it does not render fonts right. it's my only complaint about it honestly.
drhoward_t
join:2012-05-08
Saint Louis, MO

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said by PeteC2:

I use IE9 64 bit, and am quite satisfied with it. All the carping to the contrary will not change that.

At the end of the day - one should use whichever browser one prefers. (its a free country, eh?)

I agree that browser choice is all down to personal preference but IE9 is years behind all others in technical ability and that is what all the carping is about. IE9 holds back the web and it's only the hard work of web developers that make you able to use pages the same, or at least similarly. IE is always at least three years behind every other browser.

Without IE9, the web would run faster and smoother with more features but many of those standard features are unavailable because they won't work in any version of IE unless the site owner wants to pay someone to write the same code twice.

No one should be using IE.

plencnerb
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join:2000-09-25
53403-1242

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said by PeteC2:

I use IE9 64 bit, and am quite satisfied with it. All the carping to the contrary will not change that.

Do you use it as your "default" browser, or do you have something else installed. I ask in reference to the picture I posted above, and the fact that it says "Internet Explorer (64-bit) cannot be the default browser".

Just curious!

--Brian
plencnerb

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Ok, I do have to say something in regards to how this thread is going. The OP asked a simple question about which version of IE9 to use (32 bit or 64 bit). And, in another thread, Simple Guy See Profile had a question about the google search box. I'll just quote him from that thread here, as he said it best.
said by Simple Guy:

For the purpose of my question, the OP and the topic of the thread, please respectfully no post why or why you don’t like IE or what Browser you do like or why I should switch. I’m just interested in solving and discussing my one problem with IE. Thanks.

This is a Microsoft Forum, and people should be allowed to post questions about IE, and be allowed the chance and the respect to get an answer to their question. Not comments like the ones below
said by drhoward_t:

The conventional wisdom these days is not to use IE at all. Use any other browser if you want a rich, modern web experience. Never, ever use IE.

said by moes:

firefox or chrome, avoid opera and IE.

Think about it this way....If you posted a question in the Mozilla forum asking for help with a setting or something in Firefox, and all you got was a bunch of posts saying how bad Firefox was, and you should switch to IE (or Chrome, or Safari, or whatever), how would that make you as the OP feel? People come to the forums for help on a specific application, and I think we need to respect whatever browser or program they are using, and do our best to help them out. If you cannot help them, and all you can say is how bad the product is, then maybe you should not post at all.

Mods: Sorry for the post, but I felt something needed to be said.

--Brian

cmcasey79
join:2000-12-10
Allen Park, MI

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When you install IE9 "64 bit", you actually get both the 32 and 64 bit versions. I've seen some people suggesting ways to get the 64 bit version to be the default, but I don't think that's an officially supported configuration yet. If you set IE as your default version, the 32 bit browser is what will actually be the default, even on a 64 bit system.

I've used both the 32 and 64 bit versions, and I don't really notice much of a difference. Some people say more work was done optimizing the performance of the 32 bit version that the 64 bit version though, so take that for what it's worth. I do use IE9 as my default browser, and have very few problems with it, even though a few people on here are always proclaiming how bad IE is.
armed
join:2000-10-20

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I installed Win 7 64bit not too long after it came out on two home built computers. I tried the 64 bit IE (I believe it was the IE8 version then) and it drove me batty. So many sites just did not work with it.

For grins I tried it for a few days a month or so ago and it was IE 9. It worked much better and it was days before I ran into a site problem. So it appears there has been some mearsurable improvement in both sites that work with it and the IE program itself.

But I went back to the 32 bit version because I have no problems ever with it.

I'll try again in about 6 months. If I can last a month of browsing without site problems then I'll switch.

darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
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join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
·Ziply Fiber

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said by plencnerb:

People come to the forums for help on a specific application, and I think we need to respect whatever browser or program they are using, and do our best to help them out. If you cannot help them, and all you can say is how bad the product is, then maybe you should not post at all.

Very well said. Thank you.
moes
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join:2009-11-15
Cedar City, UT

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"inserts witty remark here and shakes fist and sticks tongue out"

PeteC2
Got Mouse?
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join:2002-01-20
Bristol, CT

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said by plencnerb:

said by PeteC2:

I use IE9 64 bit, and am quite satisfied with it. All the carping to the contrary will not change that.

Do you use it as your "default" browser, or do you have something else installed. I ask in reference to the picture I posted above, and the fact that it says "Internet Explorer (64-bit) cannot be the default browser".

Just curious!

--Brian

Sometimes I have several browsers on my system, other times not. I do use IE9 64 bit as my default browser.
jacour
Premium Member
join:2001-12-11
Matthews, NC

jacour

Premium Member

I do use IE as my default browser but I also use FF especially when there is a nice script somebody has written in GreaseMonkey or one of the many add-ons has automated something I need. FF does have its charms but I don't like it as much for everyday browsing. Sorry Google, I just don't like Chrome.

I think the answer I am hearing is about what I expected; there are some lingering incompatibilities but most of them have been ironed out at this point.

Thanks to everybody who took the time to comment.
drhoward_t
join:2012-05-08
Saint Louis, MO

drhoward_t

Member

said by jacour:


I think the answer I am hearing is about what I expected; there are some lingering incompatibilities but most of them have been ironed out at this point.

Since you brought it up: there are not "some" incompatibilities. There are so many incompatibilities between IE9 and modern web standards that a forum cannot list them all. IE9 is inept at best and the worst browser on the planet by far.

mozerd
Light Will Pierce The Darkness
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join:2004-04-23
Nepean, ON

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said by jacour:

I think the answer I am hearing is about what I expected; there are some lingering incompatibilities but most of them have been ironed out at this point.

I keep coming back ti IE9 because its far better than any other I have tried [FF, Chrome, Safari and Opera] --- far better in every way. IE9 ROCKS!

plencnerb
Premium Member
join:2000-09-25
53403-1242

1 recommendation

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said by drhoward_t:

Since you brought it up: there are not "some" incompatibilities. There are so many incompatibilities between IE9 and modern web standards that a forum cannot list them all. IE9 is inept at best and the worst browser on the planet by far.

I don't mean to speak for the OP, but what I think they are saying is that there are still some incompatibilities with a 64 bit browser. Again, if you look at the OP's original question, which is also the subject of this thread Which IE9 version should I use , that should tell you what the OP is asking about.

Yes, there are still websites that have not upgraded their plug-ins to run properly on IE9 64 bit. But, before you jump up and down and scream that its IE's problem, the same sites also don't work in Waterfox. In case you don't know, Waterfox is the 64 bit version of Firefox. In fact, let me post what it says on the waterfox webpage FAQ
said by Waterfox FAQ :

Waterfox is a high performance browser based on the Mozilla Firefox source code. Made specifically for 64-Bit systems, Waterfox has one thing in mind: speed.

While we all have a favorite browser, (Mine is actually Waterfox), I don't try to push people to it, nor do I come into a Microsoft forum and rip the hell out of IE, to try to get more people on Waterfox.

To answer to the OP's question: Yes, IE9 64 bit may still have problems with Browser Plug-ins that have not been upgraded yet to work in a 64 bit browser. Those same plug-ins will also not work in ANY 64 bit browser (Waterfox, for example...I am guessing there are others). But, over time, these browser plug-ins will be upgraded and work in a 64 bit version of a browser (be it IE, Waterfox, or whatever). I sited two examples, that don't work in both IE 9 64 bit AND Waterfox.

So drhoward_t See Profile, do you feel that Waterfox is just as bad as IE, as the Garmin GPS web site does not work properly in Waterfox, due to the plug-in not being able to be installed, just like it does not install in IE9 64 bit, but works fine in Firefox?

I think we need to keep in mind what the OP is asking. The OP did not ask which browser they should use (Firefox, Waterfox, Chrome, IE, etc), but which VERSION of IE they should be using (32 bit or 64 bit). The OP wants to use IE, but cannot decide if they should go with the 32 bit or 64 bit version of the browser.

--Brian

Pauly
join:2004-05-29
canada

Pauly

Member

My keyboard has internet key, right now it loads the ie 32 bits, so i am tired of not being able to use it, i have to click start menu and go all the internet explorer (64-bit) short cut, i microsoft got their sh!t together, then i can use the button on my keyboard, but i have to wait till i turn to and old man to get that. how sad
drhoward_t
join:2012-05-08
Saint Louis, MO

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said by plencnerb:

said by drhoward_t:

Since you brought it up: there are not "some" incompatibilities. There are so many incompatibilities between IE9 and modern web standards that a forum cannot list them all. IE9 is inept at best and the worst browser on the planet by far.

I don't mean to speak for the OP, but what I think they are saying is that there are still some incompatibilities with a 64 bit browser.

You might be right, and I wasn't sure when I first read it, but he mentioned the other browsers in the same breath.
quote:

So drhoward_t See Profile, do you feel that Waterfox is just as bad as IE, as the Garmin GPS web site does not work properly in Waterfox, due to the plug-in not being able to be installed, just like it does not install in IE9 64 bit, but works fine in Firefox?

I don't know anything about Waterfox and only first heard about it on this board. Quickly looking around, it looks like someone grabbed the Firefox source and compiled a 64-bit version. It's not from Mozilla or endorsed by Mozilla so no telling what had to be changed to make it work.

In any case, it can't be as bad as IE9.

plencnerb
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I sent you a PM in regards to your question Pauly See Profile.

Pauly
join:2004-05-29
canada

Pauly

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i know i got it, i was just hoping there would be a "set as default" in the 64 bit program cus now that flash and java run on 64 i dont need the 32 bit one anymore
Pauly

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i

plencnerb
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Paolo I agree, there should be a "set default" like in IE 9 32 bit, or any of the other browsers out there.

But, as my picture on page 1 shows, Windows won't let you set IE 64 bit (I believe this is true in both Version 8 and Version 9) as the "default" browser for your OS.

Getting a bit OT here, I wonder if you can set IE 10 64 bit as your default in Windows 8? I installed the Consumer Preview a while back, but I don't remember looking at that specific setting. I would hope that in Win 8, Microsoft fixed that little issue.

--Brian

Pauly
join:2004-05-29
canada

Pauly

Member

maybe its a matter of time before 64 bit plugins become widespread before they allow u to set as default.