While most computer owners rarely update their computers programs unless they set up the automated windows updates, there are some that just want the newest or they were told the newest was the greatest. (Some of us turn off the updates because they always seem to happen while you want to do work.)
Well the newest IE9 might be the best IE version out there, but it is incompatible with XP. IE9 only works with Windows 7 and Vista. I’m not sure why Vista should count. Hated that OS. According to NetMarketShare, the majority of Windows users are still running XP, 55%, to 23% running Windows 7 and 11% with Vista. There is no support of IE 9 on Mac OS X or Linux either. It’s their way to say buy the new windows 7 even if you don’t want it. I loved XP and hated Vista. Win 7 is much better that Vista.
IE 9, while much faster than its predecessors, isn’t really faster than its browser rivals. All of which, again, will run on any desktop operating system you throw them at. Also the 64-bit version is slower than the 32-bit version. I have both versions on my computer.
Some web sites have a hard time displaying with IE9. And many have trouble with video.
“Problems playing videos can be caused by a number of different issues; most videos are based on Silverlight, Flash or Java which do require Internet Explorer add-ons to play. In most cases, ensuring that you have the latest updates for Windows, Internet Explorer and any Internet Explorer add-ons can help resolve most issues.” from Microsoft. I bet a lot of you didn’t know you needed plugins for IE.
If you are not running IE 7 for windows XP you should at least update to that version anything less and you could have big problems with attacks (Viruses, Trojans, etc.).
Chrome, Firefox, and Safari all seem to work well in all versions of windows. I would at least download the newest version of Firefox. I myself may try Chrome, I have heard good things about it.
Bottom line if you have XP don’t upgrade to IE 9. If you have Win 7 or Vista upgrade to the 32-bit version only. It’s faster.
Also: Microsoft has revealed that its new, Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) browser currently under development , will not run on the Windows Vista or XP operating systems, either now in its developer preview form or when the software ships.