Internet Explorer 9 – 64-bit vs. 32-bit – Part 2: Compatibility

Last time I explained that IE 64-bit can’t be used as the default browser, which is not recommended anyway. The biggest downside of the 64-bit browser is poor compatibility. However, the situation has improved slightly in recent years and so it is worthwhile to have a closer look at this topic.

Internet Explorer 9 64-bit HTML and JavaScript compatibility

When IT pros talk about browser compatibility, they usually mean the tiresome web standards topic. Internet Explorer 8 is Microsoft’s first browser that really follows open web standards. With Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft gets one step closer to becoming the open web standards primus considering that that they now even favor HTML 5 over Silverlight. Internet Explorer 9 64-bit is not different from Internet Explorer 9 32-bit when it comes to web standards compliance. This also applies to earlier IE versions regardless of how well they followed the standards. There also shouldn’t be a difference with regard to JavaScript.

Internet Explorer 64-bit Active-X

32-bit Active-X controls don’t work at all in Internet Explorer 64-bit. This means that if the provider of the Active-X control doesn’t offer a 64-bit version, you can’t use it in Internet Explorer 64-bit. This is still true for the vast majority of Active-X controls.

Internet Explorer 64-bit Silverlight

It is hard to believe, but the Redmond software maker doesn’t offer Silverlight for its own web browser. As far as I know, it is not possible to get Silverlight running in IE 64-bit.

Internet Explorer 9 64-bit with SharePoint 2010

The picture doesn’t look much better with SharePoint support. Internet Explorer 7 64-bit and Internet Explorer 8 64-bit are only supported “with limitations” for SharePoint 2010. Although it is not yet official, I think this will also apply to Internet Explorer 9. Okay, Firefox and Safari are also only supported with limitations, and in reality you might be able to use these browsers with SharePoint without problems. However, support with limitations always means that whenever you run into problems, you wonder if it is the browser or something else. Thus in my view in a professional environment, “support with limitations” essentially means the same as “not supported.”

Internet Explorer 64-bit Flash

It appears to me the guys from Adobe have a high interest lately for Flash to be available on as many platforms as possible. You can’t run Flash on the iPad, but there now is a Flash Player preview for IE 64-bit. I haven’t tried it myself, but from what I have read it seems to be working reliably.

Internet Explorer 64-bit Java

The Sun burned out, but Java still shines. Java on IE 64-bit works fine. The other question is, how long will Java keep glowing without the fuel from its Sun?

Internet Explorer 64-bit extensions

Most extensions for Internet Explorer 32-bit are not available for Internet Explorer 64-bit. You can’t even use the Bing Toolbar with IE 64-bit. However, if you try to install a 32-bit extension in IE 64-bit, it appears to work at first. For example, if you install the Alexa Toolbar with IE 64-bit you won’t get an error message, and the toolbar even shows up. However, this is only because IE 64-bit is closed and IE 32-bit started automatically after you clicked the install button.