Solved Just did a clean install of W7-Pro-64. What Browser can I use with it

[Mike Lynch]

I'm stuck with IE-8 and I have been unable to get to IE-11 for some unknown reason.
Tried to get EDGE but it would not download or install.
What are my options?
Mike

 

[michael diemer]

First, running Simplix should solve many problems, get you IE 11, for example. You should do this for the security updates you will get.

Second, Firefox ESR is IMO the best current option. At some point, Mozilla will stop supporting W7, however. So it's good to be aware of other options, such as Supermium, and R3dfox. The latter is Firefox but tweaked to support older op. systems. It works on Vista. The guy who does it also makes Lunar, which works (reportedly) on XP.

 

[MisterEd]

I'm stuck with IE-8 and I have been unable to get to IE-11 for some unknown reason.
Tried to get EDGE but it would not download or install.
What are my options?
Mike

Have you been running Windows Update on Windows 7. I have always had Windows Update eventually always offer Edge as an update.

Update for the new Microsoft Edge for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1: June 17, 2020
Update for the new Microsoft Edge for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1: June 17, 2020 - Microsoft Support

Installing Microsoft Edge in windows 7
Redirecting

Firefox version 115 is the last supported version for Windows 7.

Firefox users on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 moving to Extended Support Release
Firefox users on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 moving to Extended Support Release | Firefox Help

Chrome 109 is the last version to support Windows 7.

Chrome browser system requirements
Chrome browser system requirements - Chrome Enterprise and Education Help

I have all three browsers on my Windows 7 computers. Each computer has the last version that works on Windows 7.

 

[Mike Lynch]

Clarification!

I have NOT used or installed Windows 8 or 8.1.

I am referring to IE-8.

Sorry for the mix up.

Mike

 

[MisterEd]

Clarification!

I have NOT used or installed Windows 8 or 8.1.

I am referring to IE-8.

Sorry for the mix up.

Mike

Like I asked in a previous post why are still using Internet Explorer 8? I think it was the first version installed with Windows 7. Windows Update should have have upgraded it to newer versions of Internet Explorer long ago. Also, in 2020 Windows Update should have replaced Internet Explorer with Edge.

Maybe last fall I had to reinstall Windows 7 on a computer. After only a few weeks Windows Update had replaced Internet Explorer with Edge.

 

[Mike Lynch]

I ran the latest Simplex but IE was not upgraded. I tried downloading IE11 but no luck. It appears that I'm stuck with / locked onto IE8. Why? I have no idea. Could be / might be the faulty Media sold by HP. I assumed by using original HP Media, things might work. HP didn't even supply a Driver for the NIC. My System doesn't have an actual NIC Card but an actual place to plug in the Ethernet Cable. HP sucks!

 

[flavallee]

I ran the latest Simplex but IE was not upgraded. I tried downloading IE11 but no luck. It appears that I'm stuck with / locked onto IE8. Why? I have no idea. Could be / might be the faulty Media sold by HP. I assumed by using original HP Media, things might work. HP didn't even supply a Driver for the NIC. My System doesn't have an actual NIC Card but an actual place to plug in the Ethernet Cable. HP sucks!

If you did a clean install of Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit and then ran Simplix UpdatePack7R2 25.5.17 afterwards, Windows 7 should be up to date to May 2025 and Internet Explorer 8.0 should be up to date to version 11.0.380. You must have done something wrong.

If your computer is a HP, you should obtain its primary drivers(chipset, audio, ethernet, wireless, graphics, etc.) for Windows 7 64-bit from its support site. After Windows 7 64-bit is up to date with the Simplix update pack, you can install the drivers.

What is the exact serial number(S/N) and exact product number(P/N) on your HP?

 

[michael diemer]

Not sure why you are so set on IE 11. It is way out of support. You should be using a supported browser, such as Firefox ESR, as I previously mentioned.

 

[flavallee]

Not sure why you are so set on IE 11. It is way out of support. You should be using a supported browser, such as Firefox ESR, as I previously mentioned.

I agree with Michael.
You should use Mozilla Firefox ESR 115.24.0.
Internet Explorer 11.0.380 will work, but most websites no longer support it, so they will not load properly or will not load at all.

 

[Mike Lynch]

I'll need to gather answers from the PC in question.

I'll start from a Clean Install to an existing Drive that I can write over.

Then I'll run Simplix and report the results.

I do "hope" I made a mistake as I want to get on with what I'm doing.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[townsbg]

The problem with using IE 8 is that all M$ website are going to be blocked. You could install FF 115 (the latest for 7 or 8) but they're saying that they'll end support any time. You can also go with r3dfox which is a FF fork that's being updated. Right now I'm on 136. There are some nuances with that. It isn't designed for areo and they don't seem to interested in fixing that. You can also go with supermium if you prefer Chrome. It's also being updated.

r3dfox, modern Firefox for Windows 7!
Supermium 121 - Updated Chromium browser for Windows 7

 

[michael diemer]

You still have not answered our question as to why you want/need to use outdated versions of Internet Explorer. not being able to use IE 8 is not really a problem. Using it is a problem. Outdated browsers are the number one security risk in computing. Don't waste any more time on this, install Firefox ESR, as has been suggested.

 

[Mike Lynch]

@michael diemer

I do not need an outdated one!

I am UNABLE to advance to a more current one despite trying any and all suggestions from the Forum.

STUCK, not able to move, not wanting to stay where I'm at.

Mike

PS: Quote from my original Post!

"I'm stuck with IE-8 and I have been unable to get to IE-11 for some unknown reason.
Tried to get EDGE but it would not download or install.
What are my options?
Mike"

 

[Mike Lynch]

Reading comprehension!

 

[torchwood]

to update from IE8 you need SP1(so does Simplex)...... gives you IE11/Edge as options

run
msinfo32
copy/paste the output

 

[Mike Lynch]

Well, if I cannot Register Windows-7 Pro 64, I cannot use any Browser to include IE-8.
I have entered two different Numbers to Register, both failed.
Is there any way to contact MS and have them fix this?
I tried Registering via phone and it refers me to a Web Site which IE-8 will not get me to "UNTIL" I Register.
Bill certainly sucks but most of us understand that.
Is buying another Number really the only way to "get Legal" disregarding my two Retail Copies?

 

[SIW2]

firefox esr
Download Firefox for Desktop — Firefox (UK)

or

supermium

Supermium - The Fast & Secure Web Browser Built to be Yours

 

[townsbg]

By register do you mean activate? Just because the key won't activate over the internet doesn't mean it's invalid. That only means it's been activated too many times that way. To force phone activation do an elevated command prompt (right click and select run as administrator) then paste in slui 4. You don't need IE for this. That IE prompt is to take you to a help article that no long exists.

 

[Volume Z]

You must have the TLS 1.2 protocol enabled for online activation, alternatively KB3138612 installed or at the very least the Microsoft Update Client. You must have Windows Update working. But then Mike only goes "IE8 won't let me go to those pages".

Update to Microsoft Update client - Microsoft Support

 

[Mike Lynch]

Further info:

1.) Using the Retail MS Windows-7 Pro 64 Bit CD, I installed the O/S that's on it.
2.) Then I tried to use the Browser that came with it, IE-8.
3.) The O/S combined with the Browser it supplied reported I was screwed.
4.) If I cannot get to the Internet, how can I download ANYTHING on this PC.

Any rational response will be attempted, and additional info above and beyond will also be supplied.

Thanks for bearing / working with me.

Mike Lynch

PS I downloaded Volume Z's recommendation and was informed it is for 32 Bit PCs.
I will try and install it on my 64-Bit POS and report the results.

RESULTS!

As expected, the POS reports that the 32 Bit Fix" isn't applicable to my computer.

- - - Updated - - -
townsbg

(right click and select run as administrator)

My POS Version does not have or allow me to select administrator, that option just isn't there.

I'll dutifully follow addition advice.

Please do not give up on me.

Mike