Internet Explorer x2

posted on May 31st, 2012, 5:02 am

My computer has a 64-bit Operating System and 2 Internet Explorers, called Internet Explorer and Internet Explorer (64-bit).

Why do I have 2 Explorers and does the former constantly crashing/reloading tabs mean it's not compatible with my computer?

posted on May 31st, 2012, 5:05 am

I have it too.. I'm guessing it's for comparability issues?
the 64 bit one should only be able to run on computers that are 64 bit while the normal one should be able to run on 32 bit and 64 bit.

you can check your bit by
1. right clicking ''my computer''
2. clicking ''properties''
3. Read text to the right of ''System type''

posted on May 31st, 2012, 5:45 am

I can't really think of anything to add to what Arash said, except that the 64 bit one will probably be faster.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 6:04 am

I use that one now, it is faster and hasn't crashed so far. I was wonderring if the first was incompatible because it's the only reason I could think if for it screwing up constantly.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 8:04 am

Arash is correct.
The first one is the 32-bit internet explorer which is primarily used for compatability issues.
The second one is the 64-bit version which is your primary internet browser you would use.

I must assume at this point that you have a 64-bit windows version.
Because you will not get the 64-bit version of internet explorer on a 32-bit version of windows.
This is because the 32-bit version of windows does not know how to deal with 64-bit programs.

But so far I found that the browser from google, named google chrome, is the fastest browser there is.
So I use that all the time. It's just what you prefer I guess.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 9:50 am

Install Firefox!

Since its creation, every single native windows application (native: one that comes standard - free with windows CD) has not functioned properly so far, there isn't a single thing that I've seen so far that does its thing well, except maybe the msPaint, which I only use to paste screenshots.

Its almost disgusting what a shovelfull of sloppiness you get for the price you have to pay for windows these days.

For 15 year now the task manager still doesn't work properly! >:(

[MadHatter]

posted on May 31st, 2012, 10:22 am

Last edited by MadHatter on May 31st, 2012, 3:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

As has been noted, the 32-bit version of IE is included and used by default on 64-bit versions of Windows because a lot of browser plug-ins are only published as 32-bit versions. It's one of the reasons why there aren't officially supported native 64-bit versions of Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.

As for Beef's comment -- eh? The auxiliary applications like Paint, Notepad, and Sound Recorder are meant to be basic tools, and all work within their scope. I also don't get your issue with the Task Manager. The 9x codebase version was crap, true; the versions seen in Windows 2000 and later did the job perfectly adequately; and the enhancements in Vista and 7 mirrored my wish list closely.

Edit: to address a point in the OP -- 32 bit IE should work normally. If it's crashing a lot, there's likely an issue with an add-on (eg a toolbar, etc) that isn't being run in the 64-bit version. I would suggest going to Internet Options (you can use the Control Panel icon rather than launching IE in its entirety) and disable all add-ons, then add them back one-by-one (except toolbars, which are universally shiteware) to identify which one is the culprit.

Edit 2: I'll echo the advice given elsewhere in the thread and suggest you at least give third-party browsers a try. My preference is for Firefox, based almost entirely on the availability of the NoScript addon. It lets me choose precisely which domains can run JavaScript on a page, and is probably one of the major reasons why I've never suffered from a drive-by malware infection. Without it, I'd likely use either IE9 or Chrome.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 10:47 am

as has been said, you have the 64 bit IE because you have win 7 x64 (the version of win7 with support for 64 bit). 32 bit windows won't come with it, and win 7 x64 won't install on a computer without x64 support.

don't use IE 64 bit, it doesn't even give you a speed boost. at the moment it's nowhere near a finished state with proper support, and as you're finding, it's unstable. just like ms office, it has a 64 bit version that has almost no serious advantages.

if you have to use IE then use the 32 bit version.

i suggest using a different browser, eg firefox/chrome/opera. they tend to be more secure and patch their vulnerabilities quicker. they also have better custom options.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 3:37 pm

Internet Explorer 64 bit is just as "finished" and "supported" as the 32 bit version. The main reason it is not a default choice is because the majority of browser add-ons are only available as 32 bit versions and won't run in the 64 bit process.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 4:49 pm

Internet Explorer 64 bit is just as "finished" and "supported" as the 32 bit version. The main reason it is not a default choice is because the majority of browser add-ons are only available as 32 bit versions and won't run in the 64 bit process.

it's not finished at all. the software should be judged on how well it does its job, it doesn't do its job at all well. lots of pages on the internet require use of 3rd party software to work. hence if this browser can't play nice with most of the internet yet, it is NOT finished. Whether that's because M$ screwed up or because 3rd party developers are lazy in developing in the modern era is irrelevant, the software isn't in a state that I would be comfortable releasing it in.

maybe in years to come, 3rd parties will finally stop being lazy. but that's not gonna be soon i dont think.

it also scores lower in javascript benchmarks than the standard 32 bit IE9 because there's no 64 bit flavour JIT script compiler yet, a component that's already in the 32 bit flavour isn't ready yet for 64 bit IE, that smacks of a half finished job.

IMO they shouldn't have bothered making it easy for lay users to access the x64 version, 3rd party software is nowhere near ready for it, they aren't close to finishing it, and it just results in people asking questions like in this thread.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 6:52 pm

A lack of compatible third-party extensions is not the fault of the browser, and I consider placing the blame on Microsoft for that to be a ludicrous assertion. Having said that, they are starting to trickle out; Flash is available in a 64-bit version now, so too are Silverlight and Java.

Discounting that, the omission of a 64 bit version of the "Chakra" script JIT compiler is a better argument for calling it "unfinished". I can, however, understand the engineering decision behind it. The Javascript engine it has still works, it's just slower. Saying it's "not supported" is flat-out wrong though; it gets the same security and bugfix updates as the 32 bit version, and will do for the entirety of the browser's life-cycle.

By the way, none of this is meant to be read as me being a proponent of using 64-bit IE over any other browser. My browser preference and the reason for it is documented elsewhere in this thread.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 6:53 pm

There is a simple solution.

1. Open the normal version of IE.
2. Download and install either Opera, Chrome or Firefox.
3. Close IE and never open it again.

Simplez

posted on May 31st, 2012, 7:16 pm

There is a simple solution.

1. Open the normal version of IE.
2. Download and install either Opera, Chrome or Firefox.
3. Close IE and never open it again.

Simplez

word.

Don't use IE unless you have no other choice. It gives many web developers a headache since microsoft does not feel the need to comply to the international industry standards and honestly, there are overall better browsers.

posted on May 31st, 2012, 10:06 pm

A lack of compatible third-party extensions is not the fault of the browser, and I consider placing the blame on Microsoft for that to be a ludicrous assertion.

I'll just copypasta myself here:

it's not finished at all. the software should be judged on how well it does its job, it doesn't do its job at all well. lots of pages on the internet require use of 3rd party software to work. hence if this browser can't play nice with most of the internet yet, it is NOT finished. Whether that's because M$ screwed up or because 3rd party developers are lazy in developing in the modern era is irrelevant, the software isn't in a state that I would be comfortable releasing it in.

It's quite clear nobody is blaming M$ for 3rd party laziness, that doesn't excuse them from releasing something unfinished, if other people won't give them what they need to make the software good enough then tough for them, they can't force the 3rd party developers to do anything. They can't release it half baked and then try blame someone else, M$ are the dominant company in the value chain, and it will reflect poorly on them.

Having said that, they are starting to trickle out; Flash is available in a 64-bit version now, so too are Silverlight and Java.

Trickling, slowly. Most users don't even know the difference between x86 and x64. OEMs aren't gonna confuse their customer with architecture and bitness stuff that will fly over their heads. x64 has been introduced quietly to modern processors and OEMs are installing win7 x64 quietly too. Most users aren't even aware they are using it. Penetration of x64 browser plugins is gonna take a lot of time.

IE10 will have an x64 flavour JIT script compiler, also the metro app won't support plugins either, so I think they should have just waited for IE10 and not bothered telling most people about IE9 64 bit.

Saying it's "not supported" is flat-out wrong though; it gets the same security and bugfix updates as the 32 bit version, and will do for the entirety of the browser's life-cycle.

I apologise, I was ambiguous, I wasn't referring to that sort of support, I meant support in the sense of 3rd party plugin support.

Although now you bring up support from M$, they are pretty confused in their approach to IE9 64 bit, they make an easy to find start menu item for it, but don't give any help to lay users about what it's for. An intro screen on first launch of the 64 bit version wouldn't be bad, to clue people in about it, or to let them know that using it won't give them many serious advantages over the normal version.

By the way, none of this is meant to be read as me being a proponent of using 64-bit IE over any other browser. My browser preference and the reason for it is documented elsewhere in this thread.

I share your preference of browser and use of noscript, not only is security improved, but it handles annoying scripts that slow down pages. Too many websites are using overly complicated scripting to do things nobody really asked for. I hate pages full of interactive things that aren't needed at all but take up screen space and generally make a nuisance of themselves.

I've lightly tested an Opera version of noscript called notscripts, on the face of it, it's adequate too, although not quite as featureful as noscript.