Programs need IE8 but I can't downgrade on Win 7...any suggestions?

My Windows 7 came preloaded with IE9. I have apps I need to run for work that will not run in IE9. Can someone help me figure this out without having to upgrade to Win 7 Professional and getting Windows XP Zone?

Two possibilities. First, try reinstalling your programs/apps in Compatibility Mode. You could select XP w/SP3 as the operating system of choice.

Compatibility Mode

Or you could try Compatibility View in IE9 (although I believe this is for websites that don't display properly in IE9 and it may not have any effect on programs or apps.)

How to use Compatibility View in Internet Explorer 9

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Try the steps listed here:

Internet Explorer 9 - Uninstall

That should leave you with IE8.

UsernameIssues said:

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Try the steps listed here:

Internet Explorer 9 - Uninstall

That should leave you with IE8.

Definitely a possibility as long as the computer manufacturer didn't install IE9 and then remove all traces of IE8. There's also the whole security issue of IE8 being a lot less secure than IE9. It might not be a good idea to expose the entire computer to the possibility of additional malware for the sake of being able to run a few programs or apps.

FWIW :)

marsmimar said:

...security issue of IE8 being a lot less secure than IE9...

It's not as though IE8 is unsupported. It still receives security updates for those that have not installed IE9. In fact last month's Windows Updates included a cumulative security update for IE8.

roncerr said:

It's not as though IE8 is unsupported. It still receives security updates for those that have not installed IE9. In fact last month's Windows Updates included a cumulative security update for IE8.

I think you missed my point. I never said IE8 is not supported. I'm simply saying that overall IE9 is a more secure browser than IE8. And IE8 was more secure than IE7 and IE7 was more secure than IE6, etc. etc.

marsmimar said:

...I never said IE8 is not supported. I'm simply saying that overall IE9 is a more secure browser than IE8. And IE8 was more secure than IE7 and IE7 was more secure than IE6, etc. etc.

My point is that as long as Microsoft keeps the browser patched with the latest updates as they do for 7, 8, and 9, they are equally "secure". IE6 is no longer receiving security updates and so is less secure. Perhaps I need an example of a situation in which 7 and 8 are less secure than 9.

roncerr said:

marsmimar said:

...I never said IE8 is not supported. I'm simply saying that overall IE9 is a more secure browser than IE8. And IE8 was more secure than IE7 and IE7 was more secure than IE6, etc. etc.

My point is that as long as Microsoft keeps the browser patched with the latest updates as they do for 7, 8, and 9, they are equally "secure". IE6 is no longer receiving security updates and so is less secure. Perhaps I need an example of a situation in which 7 and 8 are less secure than 9.

From a safety and security standpoint the actual code for IE8 is more vulnerable than the code for IE9. So until a problem is discovered and patched, IE8 has a greater chance of being compromised than IE9. This has been documented by Microsoft as far back as June 2011 when Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-050 was released. IE8 had to be patched for 12 critical issues and IE9 for 7.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-050 - Critical : Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (2530548)

I believe IE9 has a greater probability of NOT being compromised compared to earlier versions of IE. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, Ron. So we can agree to disagree on this issue.

Now,