Internet Explorer 9 FAQ for IT Professionals
Should enterprises wait for Internet Explorer 9 before deploying Windows 7?
We recommend that organizations who have just started their Windows® 7 and Internet Explorer® 8 migration planning, or are currently in the application testing phase of their Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8 migration projects, switch to testing, piloting and deploying Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 9.
For organizations that are currently deploying Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8, we recommend that they continue with these deployments. This will allow organizations to realize the benefits of Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8 immediately. In parallel, we also recommend that these organizations pilot Internet Explorer 9 and make Internet Explorer 9 part of their longer-term desktop strategy. Because of the high degree of compatibility between Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9, investments made while deploying Internet Explorer 8 today will apply to Internet Explorer 9 deployments.
How can Internet Explorer 9 help our organization standardize the web browser on desktops PCs?
Internet Explorer 9 is the only web browser that supports modern web standards such as HTML5, and provides nearly 1,500 Group Policy settings. Internet Explorer 9 supports the specific deployment, management, and support needs of enterprises. Additionally, users will enjoy Internet Explorer 9; a positive experience can help drive acceptance of a standard web browser across the company.
How does Internet Explorer 9 integrate with Windows 7?
Internet Explorer 9 integrates seamlessly with computers running Windows 7 to bring you the best web experience for Windows. Internet Explorer 9 is designed to make web applications seem like they are native Windows programs. With a cleaner, minimal UI, more pixels are devoted to webpages. Furthermore, developers can use features such as site pinning and jump lists to provide new ways for uses to interact with applications. Finally, we take advantage of the hardware acceleration capabilities built into Windows 7 and Windows Vista® to give you a fast browsing experience.
How does Internet Explorer 9 improve the performance of webpages and applications?
Webpages and applications load noticeably faster and are more responsive because of the new document object model (DOM), a re-engineered layout, and Chakra (the new JavaScript engine). The new JavaScript engine takes advantage of multiple CPU cores through Windows to interpret, compile, and run code in parallel.
How does support for hardware acceleration affect Internet Explorer 9 end users?
Hardware-accelerated video, graphics, and text allow end users’ websites and applications to perform like applications that they install directly on their PCs. High-definition videos play smoothly, graphics are clearer and more responsive, colors are truer, and websites can be more interactive. If your PC is not able to take advantage of hardware acceleration, Internet Explorer 9 automatically chooses the software rendering option to provide a compatible user experience.
What are the F12 Developer Tools in Internet Explorer?
The Developer Tools provide built-in features to analyze applications with the JavaScript profiler, CSS Editor, and the new Network Analyzer. Building on the tools that Internet Explorer 8 provides, the Developer Tools in Internet Explorer 9 add a new tab for inspecting network traffic, improve the performance of working with large JavaScript files, and add a user-agent switching tool. They can help IT pros and developers ensure that their applications work with Internet Explorer 9.
Which security features are new or improved in Internet Explorer 9?
The SmartScreen® Filter in Internet Explorer 8 helps protect end users from malware and phishing attacks. Internet Explorer 9 adds the SmartScreen download filter to block downloaded program files, based on their reputation. Internet Explorer 9 is the only major web browser that provides integrated download reputation to help end users make better choices when deciding whether to trust a downloaded program file. Both filters are turned on by default.
What privacy features are new or improved in Internet Explorer 9?
Tracking Protection is a new feature in Internet Explorer 9 that helps protect users from being tracked online. Today’s websites often use content hosted by third parties. This content can include images, text, tracking beacons, cookies, and scripts. Third-party content can thus be used to track you across multiple sites. These third parties can collect information such as the URLs you are browsing or your IP address, without your knowledge or consent.
Tracking Protection functionality allows the browser to block third-party content based on Tracking Protection Lists which users install. Microsoft is working with third parties to independently create and author these tracking protection lists.
Does Internet Explorer 9 support modern web standards such as HTML5?
Internet Explorer 9 demonstrates our commitment to an interoperable web by supporting modern web standards. Doing so enables developers to use the same mark-up across web browsers, helping to reduce development and support costs. Modern web standards that Internet Explorer 9 supports include:
Cascading Style Sheets, Level 3 (CSS3, 2D Transforms)
Document Object Model (DOM) Levels 2 and 3 (DOM events)
HTML5 (Geolocation)
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)
HTML5- canvas element
How does Microsoft participate in the W3C or other standards bodies?
Microsoft actively participates in the CSS3 and SVG working groups, co-chairs the HTML5 working group, and leads the HTML5 Testing Task Force. Standards consistency is a top priority for Microsoft. We create and submit more test cases to the W3C than any other web browser vendor does. For example, as of the Internet Explorer RC, we have created and submitted 3,942 test cases to the standards bodies. Doing so helps to ensure that as web browsers implement modern web standards, developers write to them consistently and enterprises can have fewer concerns about web application compatibility.
Do we need to retest intranet applications that are designed for Internet Explorer 7 or work with Internet Explorer 8?
Not necessarily. Internet Explorer 9 was designed to have a high degree of compatibility with Internet Explorer 8. In particular, Compatibility View mode is on by default for intranet websites in Internet Explorer 8, and that setting works the same way in Internet Explorer 9. Compatibility View mode allows websites that were designed for Windows Internet Explorer 7 to work properly in Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9.
When Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 9, will it require Windows 7 Service Pack 1?
No. Internet Explorer 9 will install on systems that have either Windows 7 RTM or Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed. When you install Internet Explorer 9 on a system that has Windows 7 RTM installed, additional operating system components are included as part of the installation of Internet Explorer 9. When you install Internet Explorer 9 on a system that has Windows 7 SP1 installed, these additional components are already present with Windows 7 SP1, and do not need to be reinstalled when you install Internet Explorer 9.
How do we install Internet Explorer 9 side by side with Internet Explorer 8 for evaluation?
Running multiple versions of Internet Explorer on a single instance of Windows is an unsupported solution. For example, organizations cannot install Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 8 side by side on a single operating system. To run two versions of Internet Explorer side by side, we recommend that organizations use virtualization technologies such as Microsoft® Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V), a feature of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, or Remote Desktop Services.
You can also use Windows XP Mode to test application compatibility in Internet Explorer 9 against Internet Explorer 6. Windows XP Mode with Virtual PC, available on Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate, allows you to run multiple Windows environments and multiple versions of Internet Explorer simultaneously. For more information, or to download, see Windows XP Mode with Virtual PC.
Has the installation experience changed since Internet Explorer 8?
Yes. Internet Explorer 9 is faster to install than Internet Explorer 8 because of an upgrade process that requires fewer decisions and less overall time. Additionally, you can add Internet Explorer 9 to existing Windows 7 images, to streamline the deployment process. Depending on your platform, you may be able to install Internet Explorer 9 without a reboot.
Which updates are required to install Internet Explorer 9 on Windows 7?
On Windows 7, Internet Explorer 9 requires the following updates:
- Update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 - KB2454826
How do I upgrade to Internet Explorer 9 on computers that already run Windows 7?
You can upgrade to Internet Explorer 9 from the Internet Explorer home page.
Do I need to install the required updates before installing Internet Explorer 9?
You do not need to download and install the required updates. The installation process will automatically download and install the required updates. You must download the updates and add them to your Windows 7 images if you are adding Internet Explorer 9 to them, however. You must also add the updates to your Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 deployment share if you add the Internet Explorer 9 update to it.
How do I automate the installation of Internet Explorer 9 by using the offline installer?
Run the offline installer with the /quiet command-line option. For a complete list of command-line options, run the offline installer with the /help command-line option.
Does the offline installer keep end users’ settings during an upgrade?
Yes. Internet Explorer 9 migrates Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8 settings after upgrading. Settings include: user interface layout; home page and groups; add-ons, accelerators, and search providers; favorites, feeds, and history; Status and Command bar settings; and settings in the Internet Options dialog box.
How do I add Internet Explorer 9 to existing Windows 7 images?
You can add the Internet Explorer 9 update package and its required updates to Windows 7 images by using Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). You must extract the Internet Explorer 9 update package from the offline installer by using the /x command-line option. Download the required updates from the Microsoft Download Center. For detailed information about servicing a Windows 7 image, see Phase 5: Managing and Servicing Your Windows Image in the Windows Automated Installation Kit. For detailed information about DISM command-line options, see Operating System Package Servicing Command Line Options.
Can I add Internet Explorer 9 to my Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 deployment share?
Yes. You can add the prerequisite update packages and the Internet Explorer 9 update package to your deployment share. During deployment, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 automatically includes the updates in to the image during installation. You must extract the Internet Explorer 9 update package from the offline installer by using the /x command-line option. Download the required updates from the Microsoft Download Center. Then, right-click Packages in the deployment share, click Import OS Packages, and follow the instructions on screen.
How do I extract the Internet Explorer 9 from the offline installer?
To get the Internet Explorer 9 update package, run the offline installer with the /x command-line option to extract its contents.
Will the currently released Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool accurately test for compatibility with Internet Explorer 9?
Yes. The Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool (IECTT), part of the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT), helps identify application and website compatibility issues on Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 7. The IECTT identifies your web-based issues, uploads the data to the ACT Log Processing Service, and shows your results in real time. The currently released version of IECTT will identify application and website compatibility issues on Internet Explorer 9, as well. For more information, see Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit.
Is there a tool that will help prepare for migrating to Internet Explorer 9 by providing information about my current Internet Explorer installation?
Yes. Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 5.5 discovers and reports on deployed web browsers, Microsoft ActiveX® controls, and add-ons. For more information, see the Microsoft Assessment Planning Toolkit.
Is there a version of Internet Explorer Administration Kit to support Internet Explorer 9?
Yes. Internet Explorer Administration Kit 9 (IEAK9) is currently available. IEAK allows you to create customized installations of Internet Explorer 9 to deploy in your organizations. For more information, see Internet Explorer Administration Kit 9.
Can I block the installation of Internet Explorer 9?
Yes. To help our customers become more secure and up-to-date, Microsoft will distribute Windows Internet Explorer 9 as an “Important” update through Automatic Updates for Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) for x64 and x86, Windows 7 for x64 and x86, and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64 and x86. The Blocker Toolkit is intended for organizations that would like to block automatic delivery of Internet Explorer 9 to machines in environments where Automatic Updates is enabled. Using the Blocker Toolkit also prevents automatic upgrades from Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8 to Internet Explorer 9. The Blocker Toolkit will not expire. For more information, see Internet Explorer 9 Blocker Toolkit: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Internet Explorer 9 add any new Group Policy settings?
Internet Explorer 8 provided nearly 1,500 Group Policy settings that IT pros can use to manage and control the web browser configuration. Internet Explorer 9 provides new Group Policy settings to support its new features. These include:
Prevent Deleting Download History
Disable add-on performance notifications
Allow Internet Explorer 8 Shutdown Behavior
Install binaries signed by MD2 and MD4 signing technologies
Automatically enable newly installed add-ons
Turn off Managing SmartScreen Filter
Prevent configuration of search from the Address bar
Go to an intranet site for a single word entry in the Address bar
Turn on ActiveX filtering
Enable alternate codecs in HTML5 media elements
Configure Tracking Protection Lists
Show tabs below Address bar
Tracking Protection threshold
Turn off Tracking Protection
Where can I learn more about the new features in Internet Explorer 9?
See the following resources:
Where can I learn more about IT Professional deployment and customization tools for Internet Explorer 9?
See the following resources:
Revision History
The following table summarizes changes to this published document.
Milestone |
Change |
Internet Explorer 9 Beta |
New. |
Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate |
General updates through all questions. Note especially updates for:
New questions for the following areas:
|
Internet Explorer 9 |
Updates to remove references to pre-release versions of Internet Explorer 9. |