Five Reasons not to “Upgrade” to Windows’ Internet Explorer 9

[severedsolo]

Five Reasons not to “Upgrade” to Windows’ Internet Explorer 9

After a couple of weeks on tinkering with the newly released Internet Explorer (IE) 9, and a host of other Web browsers, I have to say that while 32-bit IE 9 is much better than any other version of IE to date, it’s still not my first pick for a Web browser. Here’s why.

1. Operating system incompatibilities
When it comes to desktop operating systems, IE 9 works only with Windows 7 and Vista. That’s it. XP users? You’re out of luck. There’s no IE 9 for XP. Yes, according to NetMarketShare, the majority of Windows users are still running XP, 55%, to 23% running Windows 7 and 11% with Vista, but there’s still no IE 9 for you.

Of course, Microsoft also doesn’t support IE 9 on Mac OS X or Linux either. Indeed, Dean Hachamovitch, the head of Microsoft’s IE’s engineering group boasted of it at the SXSW (South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals). Hachamovitch is reported as saying, “Other browsers dilute their engineering investments across systems. Because we focus exclusively on one, IE can make the most of the Windows experience and the hardware.”

Funny, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari all seem to manage it pretty well. And, even if Microsoft wants to ignore Mac OS X and Linux, why not at least a version for XP anyway?
The answer, of course, is that Microsoft wants to sell you Windows 7, even if you don’t need or want it.

2. Performance
Yes, IE 9 actually is the winner at the SunSpider JavaScript 0.91 benchmark, but a fuller suite of tests reveals that IE 9 actually loses to Chrome and even to the Firefox 4 release candidate on other benchmarks.

Fair warning here, the author clearly has an Anti Microsoft agenda. This becomes obvious within the first 2 paragraphs, so the "information" may or may not be accurate. Still, it is in an interesting article.


More at: Five Reasons not to “Upgrade” to Windows’ Internet Explorer 9 | ZDNet

 

[richnrockville]

If your using Windows 7, then I recommend IE 9. Once you get it configured the way you like it, it is fine and works fast and well.

People who won't update to an improved version of software, remind me of the doctors office manager who did not like the computer office scheduling software and kept writing appointments in the large ledger sheets that she had used for 20 years. I had to go into the office early one morning and take the schedule book and hide it in the ceiling tiles. She now swears by the computer scheduling program.

Try it, you will like it.. I do..
Rich

 

[DBone]

I downloaded IE9 so my computer is up to date, but I will only use it on a couple of my online bill pay web sites that require it. I will stay with Chrome 100% of the time. IE9 isn't bad, but to me, Chrome is just flat out better.

 

[yowanvista]

I used it for some hours but due to the annoyances and lack of built-in features I switched back to FF4

 

[Joan Archer]

I've been using it since the beta and don't see any reason to stop using it, it's faster and gives me more room on screen for the web site I'm visiting rather that having the browser taking more room. I've used other browsers at one time or another but I always come back to IE and now with this latest version 9 I see no reason to quit.

 

[seekermeister]

I know that I installed the 64 bit version of IE9, but I remember one person saying that when this is installed, it also installs the 32 bit version at the same time. However, when I open IE either from Program Files or Program Files (x86), and check the data in Help>About, it says exactly the same thing, as in the screenshot below. How would one be certain that both are the same version, or different?

 

[alphanumeric]

Go to Start Menu > All Programs > Internet Explorer (64 Bit). Then do the help about IE. It should have "64-bit Edition" next to the version number.

 

[seekermeister]

I can't go that path, because it did not install a Start Menu item. I have to go to the folder paths that I mentioned.

 

[Gornot]

The author is, to put it simply, an imbecile. Bitching about not having IE9 won't help, he as well as everybody else know that MS doesn't "support" XP anymore. If you're that stupid to want to use an operating system 10 years old, it's your funeral.

 

[sordid]

Internet Explorer...
Isn't that this built in installation tool for Chrome?

 

[twdawson]

IE9 is good but its late to the game, Chrome is the top dog now.

 

[alphanumeric]

I can't go that path, because it did not install a Start Menu item. I have to go to the folder paths that I mentioned.

It didn't install properly then. The 64 bit IE icon was there on my system even when I was running IE 8. You went to "all programs" right?

 

[seekermeister]

Yes. I may uninstall it, and just get the 32 bit version to install.

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes. I may uninstall it, and just get the 32 bit version to install.

You can't install the 32 bit (only) version of IE 9 on the 64 bit version of Windows 7. The installer won't run. You have to install the 64 bit version which actually installs both the 32 and 64 bit versions of IE 9. 64 bit versions or Windows 7 come with both versions of IE 8 so you have to update both versions.

 

[seekermeister]

Hmm, I had installed a beta of IE 9 quite some time ago, and afterward, I found no way to access IE 8. Since I had been told that it wasn't necessary to uninstall previous versions, I went ahead and installed IE 9 as things were. Maybe that is the reason that things don't seem right now, but how would I rectify that?

 

[alphanumeric]

You can un-install IE 9 by going to Control Panel > Programs and Features > View installed updates. It should be listed as "Windows Internet Explorer 9". That should return you to IE 8. If its not listed I would say you will have to resort to system restore.

EDIT: I took no chances and un-installed the RC before installing the RTW.

 

[seekermeister]

It appears that I'm out of luck, there is nothing listed in Programs And Features, no restore point, except one made today, and there is no uninstaller in the program's directories. Since I rarely use it anyway, I'm not going to get too concerned about it, and will probably just leave it as is.

EDIT: I probably would have uninstalled the beta also, before installing the RTM, but if I recall, there was no uninstaller for it either. When I was told that it wouldn't matter, I went ahead.

 

[BugMeister]

If your using Windows 7, then I recommend IE 9. Once you get it configured the way you like it, it is fine and works fast and well.

People who won't update to an improved version of software, remind me of the doctors office manager who did not like the computer office scheduling software and kept writing appointments in the large ledger sheets that she had used for 20 years. I had to go into the office early one morning and take the schedule book and hide it in the ceiling tiles. She now swears by the computer scheduling program.

Try it, you will like it.. I do..
Rich

I say, well said..
people keep asking where's the "whatsit" that used to be in IE8..?
and why can't I do this in IE9, when I could in IE8..??

- listen folks - it's an upgrade..
- it's better, faster, more capable and more secure..

- get used to it..
- make it do what you want it to do..

 

[DBone]

If your using Windows 7, then I recommend IE 9. Once you get it configured the way you like it, it is fine and works fast and well.

People who won't update to an improved version of software, remind me of the doctors office manager who did not like the computer office scheduling software and kept writing appointments in the large ledger sheets that she had used for 20 years. I had to go into the office early one morning and take the schedule book and hide it in the ceiling tiles. She now swears by the computer scheduling program.

Try it, you will like it.. I do..
Rich

I say, well said..
people keep asking where's the "whatsit" that used to be in IE8..?
and why can't I do this in IE9, when I could in IE8..??

- listen folks - it's an upgrade..
- it's better, faster, more capable and more secure..

- get used to it..
- make it do what you want it to do..

If you can tell me how to make the "bookmarks bar" black or charcoal, then I'll give it a try.

 

[alphanumeric]

It appears that I'm out of luck, there is nothing listed in Programs And Features, no restore point, except one made today, and there is no uninstaller in the program's directories. Since I rarely use it anyway, I'm not going to get too concerned about it, and will probably just leave it as is.

EDIT: I probably would have uninstalled the beta also, before installing the RTM, but if I recall, there was no uninstaller for it either. When I was told that it wouldn't matter, I went ahead.

Did you click the "View Installed Updates" option in the menu on the left? Thats a seperate screen once you're in programs and features.