Download IE9 32 or 64 bit?

[C32C3]

My OS is Win7 Ultimate 64 bit. But I am thinking of downloading IE9 32 bit.

If I do that will it cause some kind of problem?

Thank you.

 

[whs]

No problem. You should run the 32bit because the 64bit is a lot slower.

 

[C32C3]

Thanks for replying whs.

Here is a link to an article I have been reading. I am thinking of following its instructions. What do you think?

Tip: Installeer 32-bits Internet Explorer 9 op 64-bits Windows 7 « Clicko Tips & Trucs

 

[Littlemutt]

Your using x64 Windows, so when you download you will get 64bit and 32 bit. 32bit is set as system default once installed. Nothing says you have to use 64bit without specifically starting it.

 

[fseal]

yeah, do NOT follow that "tip" it's completely unnecesary. As Littlemutt said, install the "64bit" version. It will install the 64 and 32 bit version and 32 bit is set as default and will always run from any angle you might launch it at. You have to go out of your way to run the 64 bit version.

 

[Brink]

You would use the same 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) IE9 download as your currently installed 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) Windows.

• The 64-bit IE9 download will have both the 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) IE9 included to be installed only on a 64-bit Windows.
• The 32-bit IE9 download will only have both the 32-bit (x86) IE9 to be installed only on a 32-bit Windows.

http://www.sevenforums.com/browsers-mail/126587-latest-internet-explorer-9-release.html

 

[whs]

I just installed IE9 from here ( Internet Explorer - Microsoft Windows ) and automatically ended up with the 32bit version on several 64bit systems. No need to do anything special.

 

[C32C3]

Many thanks for all the replies.

I was talking with a work colleague today about my decision to install the 32bit IE9 and he couldn't understand why I would want to do that since I am running a 64bit OS. To be honest I haven't an answer. I could only try to parrot what I have heard online.

It does seem logical that you would use a 64bit browser on a 64bit system.

 

[whs]

Simple reason - the 64bit IE9 is a lot slower than the 32bit IE9 because they run on different engines. Read the comparison article here: http://www.sevenforums.com/news/152267-interesting-browser-comparison.html

 

[fseal]

Well it's like office 64bit mostly.

The program runs but it's the third party plugins that don't work yet, so most people get stuck using the 32 bit version because of a plugin they need. For IE of course you need all kinds of things like Flash still and you would need to get 64 bit versions of all those. (There is a 64 bit flash out, but not for many others)

In the case of IE it's a little worse though, IE 64bit is still using some older sub components (The JS engine I believe, maybe others) that are very slow compared to the much faster, newer ones shipping with IE9 32 bit. So in this case, it's MSs software itself that is using old and un updated components in the 64 bit version that is holding things back even without the plugin comptibility issues...

 

[C32C3]

Well it's like office 64bit mostly.

The program runs but it's the third party plugins that don't work yet, so most people get stuck using the 32 bit version because of a plugin they need. For IE of course you need all kinds of things like Flash still and you would need to get 64 bit versions of all those. (There is a 64 bit flash out, but not for many others)

In the case of IE it's a little worse though, IE 64bit is still using some older sub components (The JS engine I believe, maybe others) that are very slow compared to the much faster, newer ones shipping with IE9 32 bit. So in this case, it's MSs software itself that is using old and un updated components in the 64 bit version that is holding things back even without the plugin comptibility issues...

It is indeed surprising that Microsoft would not make its 64bit version of IE9 to at least equal its counterpart, the 32bit version. IE9 is a browser for today's pc users and today's pc users are increasingly installing 64bit OS's.

What about the other browsers, the competitors to IE9, are they doing the same as Microsoft, namely, you download the 64bit version and get the 32bit version as well and its set as default?

 

[fseal]

No, I think that all the other viewers (if they have a 64 bit version at all) would be seperate downloads. Some don't even have one yet and others are still beta.

It pretty much mirrors the majority of the software market. It took us something ike 15 years to go from 64bit server OSes to 64 bit desktop OSes. It'll take another 5-10 to go 100% 64bit for everything I'm betting

 

[Brink]

What about the other browsers, the competitors to IE9, are they doing the same as Microsoft, namely, you download the 64bit version and get the 32bit version as well and its set as default?

The available IE9 downloads are not for the 32-bit or 64-bit IE9, but are the download versions for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 instead.

The other browsers may differ though. They may actually have a separate download for only their 64-bit browser instead.

 

[Snowdog]

64 bit for most software is completely unnecessary and of no real benefit, so really there is no loss sticking with 32 bit for browsers.

I had a chuckle at the people running IE8 64 bit despite the fact that it was no better (it actually was a tiny bit slower when I tested it) and didn't work with all plug ins.

More bits do not automatically equal better.

That being said. You download the package that corresponds to your OS. So on 64bit Windows, download the 64Bit package. It has both 32bit/64bit versions.

You have to go out of your way to run the 64bit version (The same as with IE8 installed).

 

[C32C3]

What about the other browsers, the competitors to IE9, are they doing the same as Microsoft, namely, you download the 64bit version and get the 32bit version as well and its set as default?

The available IE9 downloads are not for the 32-bit or 64-bit IE9, but are the download versions for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 instead.

The other browsers may differ though. They may actually have a separate download for only their 64-bit browser instead.

True, the download versions are for your particular version of Windows. It's stated exactly like that on Microsoft's IE9 download web page. Seeing that Microsoft went through the effort of making two versions of IE9 there must be a reason.

Any idea what that reason is?

 

[Brink]

What about the other browsers, the competitors to IE9, are they doing the same as Microsoft, namely, you download the 64bit version and get the 32bit version as well and its set as default?

The available IE9 downloads are not for the 32-bit or 64-bit IE9, but are the download versions for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 instead.

The other browsers may differ though. They may actually have a separate download for only their 64-bit browser instead.

True, the download versions are for your particular version of Windows. It's stated exactly like that on Microsoft's IE9 download web page. Seeing that Microsoft went through the effort of making two versions of IE9 there must be a reason.

Any idea what that reason is?

Only so you would download the correct IE9 installation file for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7.

You basically have two IE9 installation files, and it depends on what Windows 7 you have installed for which one you need. That's the only reason.

One that installs only the 32-bit IE9 for only 32-bit Windows 7.

The other that installs both the 32-bit and 64-bit IE9 for only 64-bit Windows 7.