Description of Internet Explorer Application and Web Site Compatibility

Source: Microsoft Support

RAPID PUBLISHING ARTICLES PROVIDE INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM WITHIN THE MICROSOFT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO EMERGING OR UNIQUE TOPICS, OR IS INTENDED SUPPLEMENT OTHER KNOWLEDGE BASE INFORMATION.

This article offers general information on compatibility issues that exist with Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 and then a list of known compatibility issues with applications, add-ons and web sites along with a resolution or temporary work around.

Website compatibility

Windows Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 improve browser interoperability and advances the Web by delivering a better implementation of web standards so that Internet Explorer conforms to Web 2.0 standards. Although this is a move in the right direction, you might encounter compatibility issues with some sites that still rely on the behavior of earlier versions of Internet Explorer. Common symptoms of site compatibility problems are out-of-place menus, images, or text.

Important: If you’re currently using Internet Explorer 8 Beta, or Internet Explorer 8 Release Candidate 1 Microsoft highly recommends that you download and install the released version of Internet Explorer 8 and all released updates.

Add-on and Plugin compatibility

Browser add-ons and Plug-ins can sometimes interfere with or conflict with Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 or other software on your computer. To check for compatibility issues start Internet Explorer without add-ons and test to see whether the problem still occurs. If the issue still occurs you should troubleshoot Add-ons to determine which one causes the issue.

To run Internet Explorer in No Add-ons mode follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then type Internet Explorer in the Start Search box

(Windows XP users click Start, then right-click on Internet Explorer and click Browse without Add-ons)

2. Click Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). Internet Explorer opens without add-ons, toolbars, or plug-ins

3. Test Internet Explorer to verify that it works correctly

Use Add-on Manager to enable and disable individual or multiple add-ons to troubleshoot and determine which add-on is causing the problem.

1. Start Internet Explorer

2. Click Tools

3. Click Manage Add-ons, and then click Enable or Disable Add-ons

4. For each add-on, select the add-on, and then click Disable. When you want to enable an add-on, click Enable

5. Click OK

Application compatibility

Application compatibility issues can occur if an application interferes with processes utilized by Internet Explorer to communicate with web sites or other network resources. Troubleshooting these application issues can be done by closing or disabling all running applications and then starting those applications individually and then testing the issue in Internet Explorer. These applications can include but are not limited to the following:

• 3rd party firewall applications
• Security applications
• Antivirus applications
• Spyware and Malware applications
• Communications applications
• Hardware and Software drivers

Compatibility View in Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9

Compatibility View resolves most web site compatibility issues and makes websites that are designed for older browsers look better.

To enable Compatibility View for specific websites that are not displayed correctly or that are not working as expected, follow these steps:

1. In Internet Explorer, open the website that is not displayed correctly or that does not work as expected.

2, Click the Compatibility View icon. This icon is located to the right side of the address bar. Or, click Compatibility View on the Tools menu



Web sites selected for Compatibility View

Internet Explorer remembers sites you choose to view in Compatibility View so that the next time you visit these sites you don’t have to press the button again. You can clear this list when deleting browsing history by following these steps:

1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.

2. Click Delete.

3. Click the History check box (if not already selected) and click Delete.

For more information on Compatibility View in Internet Explorer 8 click the link below to view the article on the web site:

960321 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/960321) Description of the Compatibility View list in Windows Internet Explorer 8

The following is a list of known issues with applications, add-ons and web sites and a short description and then steps to resolve or work around the issue. The list also includes links to more information for those issues.

Applications with Known compatibility issues

Accelerators or Web Slices

Accelerator and Web Slice preview windows will show the “Internet Explorer cannot display the web page” error if you have Google Gears installed. This is a known issue in Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9.

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

969213 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969213) Error message when using Accelerators or Web Slices in Internet Explorer 8: “Internet Explorer cannot display the web page"

Cooliris

Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 display a compatibility warning when certain versions of the Cooliris (formerly known as PicLens) add-on are installed. This issue occurs because Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 and specific versions of this add-on are incompatible, and the installation is unstable. When you disable this add-on, the functionality that this product provides is removed.

For more information and for updates, visit the following website:

http://www.cooliris.com/product/ (http://www.cooliris.com/product/)

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

969057 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969057) How to fix the Cooliris add-on and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility

When browsing using Internet Explorer 8 when you have Google Desktop installed you may receive the error message "iexplore.exe Assert in LSP g_socket_data.Lookup(s) ===capture\lsp\nolsp\wsp_patches.cpp:1313"

Google Desktop

When browsing using Internet Explorer 8 when you have Google Desktop installed you may receive the error message "iexplore.exe Assert in LSP g_socket_data.Lookup(s) ===capture\lsp\nolsp\wsp_patches.cpp:1313"

This issue has been seen if you currently have a version of Google Desktop earlier than 4.5 ("5.0.0611.15590"). To resolve this issue install Google Desktop version 4.5 ("5.0.0611.15590") or later.

To download the Google Desktop, visit the following website:

(http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_installer.html?hl=en&gl=us&utm_source=en-et-ietb_hp_footer&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=en) http://google-desktop.en.softonic.com (http://google-desktop.en.softonic.com)

Google Toolbar

Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 display a compatibility warning when certain versions of the Google Toolbar add-on are installed. This issue occurs because Internet Explorer 8 and specific versions of this add-on are incompatible, and the installation is unstable. When you disable this add-on, the functionality that this product provides is removed.

For more information and for updates, visit the following website:

http://toolbar.google.com/tbredir?r=ie8_upgrade (http://toolbar.google.com/tbredir?r=ie8_upgrade)

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

968136 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968136) How to fix incompatibility problems between Internet Explorer 8 and the Google Toolbar


HP Smart Web Printing

Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 display a compatibility warning when certain versions of the HP Smart Web Printing add-on are installed. This issue occurs because Internet Explorer and specific versions of this add-on are incompatible, and the installation is unstable. When you disable this add-on, the functionality that this product provides is removed.

For more information and for updates, visit the following website:

http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/482779-0-0-225-121.html?jumpid=hpr_R1002_USEN (http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/482779-0-0-225-121.html?jumpid=hpr_R1002_USEN)

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

969227 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969227) How to fix HP Smart Web Printing and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility

The Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar is not compatible with Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9

The Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar used with earlier versions of Internet Explorer is not compatible with Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9. If you have it installed when you upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9, you will receive a message that the toolbar is not compatible.

The Developer Toolbar has been replaced by the built-in Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9 developer tools. To start using the developer tools, do one of the following:

Start Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9, and then press F12.

-or-

Start Internet Explore, click the Tools button, and then click Developer Tools.


Intuit TurboTax Online

At this time, Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 are not fully supported by Intuit for use with the TurboTax Online program.

Java 6 update 11 recommended for viewing Java Applets

Older versions of Java may cause crashes and hangs when viewing pages that load Java Applets. This is caused by architectural changes from IE8 to IE7. To resolve this, install Java 6 update 11 or higher. See the Help topic Install Java in Internet Explorer (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=58658) .

PDFCreator

When launching Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9, you may receive an error message that resembles the following message:


For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

968916 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968916) How to fix PDFCreator Toolbar and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility problems

Real Networks RealPlayer 11

There is a known program compatibility issue that occurs when you use Real Networks RealPlayer 11 with Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9 on Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or on Windows Server 2008. To resolve this issue, install hotfix 957055. The system automatically receives this update when you install Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9 .

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

957055 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957055) In Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Server 2008, when you try to play a video by using embedded RealNetworks RealPlayer 11 in Internet Explorer 8 Beta, you are prompted to download RealPlayer even though RealPlayer is successfully installed

To install both Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9 and RealPlayer 11, you must install RealPlayer 11 before you install Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9.

If you install RealPlayer 11 after you install Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9, you may experience some program compatibility issues. To resolve these issues, uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall it.

Roxio Drive Letter Access

Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 display a compatibility warning when certain versions of the Drive Letter Access (DLA) add-on are installed. This issue occurs because Internet Explorer 8 RC1 and specific versions of this add-on are incompatible, and the installation is unstable. When you disable this add-on, the main functionality of the DLA product is unaffected.

For more information and for updates, visit the following Roxio website:

http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/dla/overview.html (http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/dla/overview.html)

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

969228 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969228) How to fix the Drive Letter Access and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility problem

UPromise TurboSaver

Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 display a compatibility warning when certain versions of the UPromise TurboSaver add-on are installed. This issue occurs because Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 and specific versions of this add-on are incompatible, and the installation is unstable. When you disable this add-on, the functionality that this product provides is removed.

No update to UPromise TurboSaver is currently available. Please see http://www.upromise.com/turbosaver (http://www.upromise.com/turbosaver) for updates.

You will need to temporarily disable the UPromise TurboSaver add-on until the manufacturer resolves this issue. To disable the add-on, follow these steps:

1. Close all Internet Explorer windows.
2. Open a new Internet Explorer window.
3. Click Always open Internet Explorer without this add-on when you see a warning message about the incompatible UPromise TurboSaver add-on.

Note: After you click ‘Always open Internet Explorer without this add-on’, Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9 will not load the UPromise TurboSaver add-on. UPromise TurboSaver will not correctly when the add-on is disabled.

Windows Live Photo Gallery

Windows Live Mail or Internet Explorer 8 may fail when you uninstall or upgrading Windows Live Photo Gallery

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

969148 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969148) Uninstalling or upgrading Windows Live Photo Gallery may cause Windows Live Mail or Internet Explorer 8 to fail

Skype

Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 display a compatibility warning when certain versions of the Skype add-on are installed. This issue occurs because Internet Explorer and specific versions of this add-on are incompatible, and the installation is unstable. When you disable this add-on, the main functionality of the Skype product is unaffected. Make sure that your version of the Skype add-on is 2.2.0.193 or a later version.

For more information and for updates, visit the following Skype website:

http://www.skype.com (http://www.skype.com/)

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

968129 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968129) How to fix the Skype 3.8 IE add-on and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility

Snapfish Photo Uploader Toolbar

The Snapfish Photo Uploader Toolbar does not currently work with Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9. Snapfish is aware of the problem and is working on a solution. Check the Snapfish website for more information.

For more information and for updates, visit the following website:

http://www.snapfish.com (http://www.snapfish.com/)

Weather Channel

Weather Channel Toolbar is currently incompatible with Windows Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9. This incompatibility causes Internet Explorer to crash.

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

969226 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969226) A compatibility problem exists between Weather Channel Toolbar and Internet Explorer 8

Browsing web sites with Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9

You may experience some of the following issues while browsing web sites in Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9. Each issue also contains a link to a Microsoft Knowledge Base Article to help resolve those issues.


Cannot browse specific Web pages when you use Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

967897 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/967897)  You cannot browse specific Web pages when you use Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9

Cannot view a secure Web site in Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

968089 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968089) You cannot view a secure Web site in Internet Explorer 8

Web sites may not be displayed correctly or work correctly in Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

968499 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968499) Advanced solutions: Some Web sites may not be displayed correctly or work correctly in Windows Internet Explorer 8



Additional troubleshooting information

Reset Internet Explorer settings
923737 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737) How to reset Internet Explorer settings

Uninstall or remove Internet Explorer 8
957700 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700) How do I uninstall or remove Internet Explorer 8?

Additional Resources
949787 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949787) Release Notes for Internet Explorer 8

If you are still having problems with Internet Explorer 8 and need additional support click the following link to Contact a support professional by E-mail, Online, or Phone (http://support.microsoft.com/gethelp/default.aspx?content=dm;en-us;search) .

MICROSOFT AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY OR ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS AND RELATED GRAPHICS PUBLISHED ON THIS WEBSITE (THE “MATERIALS”) FOR ANY PURPOSE. THE MATERIALS MAY INCLUDE TECHNICAL INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND MAY BE REVISED AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, MICROSOFT AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM AND EXCLUDE ALL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND CONDITIONS WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, OR CONDITIONS OF TITLE, NON INFRINGEMENT, SATISFACTORY CONDITION OR QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE MATERIALS.