Differences between IE 32-bit and 64-bit

DarkNovaGamer for the explanation. I would add that certain products, most notably Roboform, can apparently detect these versions and attach itself to the "right" version thus explaining why there is no Roboform toolbar on the 64 bit version but there is on the 32 bit version (unless there is some really tricky stuff about two copies!!). Truth be told, I didn't even notice the two versions until I missed Robbie so I came here to learn more...and I did.

I will also use the 64 bit version whenever possible even though Robbie puts an obvious constraint on this. It works very well on my aged dfi MBO and wish Robbie would attach to it...

Thanks again for the informative post.

Here is an interesting benefit of 64-bit over 32-bit:
How to Enable Telnet Links in IE8?

Just tried today with the IE9 Beta - marked 32 & 64 bits on each image - 32 scored higher for me as well

Now, I am not running any benchmarks since any browser on my machine is lightning fast, I see no substantial difference between them, although Firefox x64 (Namoroka) does feel the fastest of the bunch.

The question I have is the following. We have two copies of IE8 - x64 and x86. The same goes for WMP. But, when I want to set the default browser, I can only set IE8. I can't choose IE8 x64. Why is that now? Here I am, wanting to run the 64-bit version by default, and apparently there is no way to do that. Even in Add or Remove Windows components there is an entry - Internet Explorer. So if I choose to uninstall the IE, will it uninstall both versions, x64 and x86?

In other words, is there any way to set the 64-bit version of IE and WMP as defaults, or simply uninstall the 32-bit versions keeping the 64-bit one?

I expect that with the new IE9 I will be able to download only the x64 version, but until then, am I really stuck with the 32-bit version as a default?

unifex said:

Now, I am not running any benchmarks since any browser on my machine is lightning fast, I see no substantial difference between them, although Firefox x64 (Namoroka) does feel the fastest of the bunch.

The question I have is the following. We have two copies of IE8 - x64 and x86. The same goes for WMP. But, when I want to set the default browser, I can only set IE8. I can't choose IE8 x64. Why is that now? Here I am, wanting to run the 64-bit version by default, and apparently there is no way to do that. Even in Add or Remove Windows components there is an entry - Internet Explorer. So if I choose to uninstall the IE, will it uninstall both versions, x64 and x86?

In other words, is there any way to set the 64-bit version of IE and WMP as defaults, or simply uninstall the 32-bit versions keeping the 64-bit one?

I expect that with the new IE9 I will be able to download only the x64 version, but until then, am I really stuck with the 32-bit version as a default?

I know that it can not be done natively, but I think some folks have a registry tweak figured out - you may check through the pages here for something: Internet Explorer 9 beta: The beauty of the web

What I have done is run IE9 x64 and then pin it to my task bar, then when I click it, it is 64 every time - Also, by opening the browser first, any links I click in my Live Mail 2011 open in the x64 browser that is already open

Good Luck