Which to use IE6.0 SP2, IE7.0 or IE8.0

Computer Help and Discussions Software
1

Ok guys/gals.

I've recently rebuilt by new computer. By default WinXP 2002 SP2 uses IE6.0. What are the advantages and disadvantages of installing IE7.0 and IE8.0?

Now I've read a lot of errors with IE8.0 on here. Is it worth it?

Now I use IE7.0 at work and I don't like the layout. Who in there right mind puts the address bar at the top? What I do like is it changes the icons in the favorites if one is available from the link. Thats the only avantage that I can see. I also install the Yahoo toolbar as I can make link buttons to my most used forums, here being one.

I also have search engine in my favorites e.g. AltaVista UK, Ask Jeeves UK, Dogpile, Excite UK, Froogle, Google UK, HotBot, KillerInfo, Lycos UK, Mamma, Yahoo! and the one of here Yauba.

I've just install WinXP SP3 today so its now IE6.0 SP3.

What are your views on Google Chrome, Google Toolbar and Google Web Accelerator?

Now I know what you going to say install FireFox or Opera. I tried these on my older computer and I didn't like them.

I need to fores and against for each browser please. ;)

Edit: Please edit the title from Whis to Which :(

2

IE6 is being phased out by a lot of major websites.(just go to youtube)

Its because web developers have to do a lot of extra work to support it.

IE7 and IE8 are about even. There interfaces are basically the same, but I find IE7 more responsive and just overall better.

You NEED to upgrade to one of them if your going to use IE though because they are much more standards compliant(you will see the web the way you should) and they are also a lot more secure.

I'm not sure why you don't like firefox(opera I know.. I don't like it either. :P), but those aren't the only options.

There is google chrome and also a lot of browsers that build off of IE (maxthon, avant, ect)

You can find those here:

http://www.filehippo.com/software/browsers/

(stay away from netscape, its discontinued)

3

IE8 has some improved privacy features (e.g., a rudimentary form of selective cleaning of cookies) but I found it to be unstable and much more of a memory hog than IE7.

I played with it for a few months but went back to IE7 when I found myself using Task Manager after every IE8 session to close multiple instances of iexplore.exe that didn't end properly (which probably accounts for other apps running slow even when IE8 doesn't appear to be open).

4

Hi my name?s Feran and I am working with the Internet Explorer Outreach Team to help provide assistance to folks about their Internet Explorer.

From a security stand point, I?d recommend upgrading to IE8 as it is a much safer version and has many new safety features. It also has many other new and improved features such as web slices, accelerators etc.

Here are two articles reviewing IE8 security: http://www.pcworld.com/article/161587/is_i...ally_safer.html and

http://www.itworld.com/internet/67113/ie-8...-worth-download

Also, at this time if you download IE8 from http://www.browserforthebetter.com?ocid=ie8_sm_a, Microsoft will donate the equivalent of 8 meals to Feeding America.

Hope this is all helpful and useful! Let me know if you decide to give it a try.

-Feran

5
Also, at this time if you download IE8 from http://www.browserforthebetter.com?ocid=ie8_sm_a, Microsoft will donate the equivalent of 8 meals to Feeding America.

Oh dear - "Download IE8 or people may starve to death", Microsoft really are getting desperate lol :P

6

Nothing will make me switch to IE8 anytime soon.

7
IE6 is being phased out by a lot of major websites.(just go to youtube)

Well I've been to YouTube and it still works with IE6.0 SP3, a bit slow on dialup (broadband is coming in 9 days).

From a security stand point, I?d recommend upgrading to IE8 as it is a much safer version and has many new safety features. It also has many other new and improved features such as web slices, accelerators etc.

Here are two articles reviewing IE8 security:

Well my brother-in-law was told he needed to update to IE8.0 a few weeks ago which he did. After that Windows would startup so he removed it. I had the update today of Automatic updates but I unticked it.

I downloaded IE7.0 a couple years ago. I may give it a go after I hear of more good and bad points. Keep them coming guys. ;)

8

I have IE8 and no problems with it on my old dinosaur HP PC but I primarily use Firefox.

9
Well I've been to YouTube and it still works with IE6.0 SP3, a bit slow on dialup (broadband is coming in 9 days).

If you go to youtube you should get a banner that says "suppot for your browser is ending, please upgrade to a modern browser"(close to that) and it will have links to chrome, firefox, and IE8.

IE6 works there for now but in the future it probably wont, and I bet you will find that on other sites as well.

10

When I reinstalled my XP back in January, I installed IE8 over IE6 and i've never had major problems with it.

I think that the problem is IE7 (or too much customizations).

I prefer Safari though.

SRWare Iron is good too (you can use the portable version if you just want to try it).

11

Ok I decided to install Internet Explorer 7.0 to see how it goes. As I said I downloaded IE7 a couple of years ago. I installed it, it did WGA check and installed the files. Did a restart, I checked IE and it was still IE6.0. Ok I downloaded IE7.0 of M$, installed it, it didn't do a WGA check, installed all files, did a restart and IE7.0 is now installed. I actuallly like IE7.0 how it puts the site icon if it has one in your favourites. ;)

12

Ol I've had IE7.0 in for a week or more. I was on a site the other day then I tried to get back on yesterday. I thought look in History for the link but I can't find the IE7 History button as you could with IE6. I right-clicked the the menubar tried to customise the buttons but I can't find anywhere its listed.

I very rarely use the History as I used to have it set for 0 days but I increased that to 5 days before I installed IE7.

Any suggestions? ;)

13

I have IE8 now so I may be wrong here, try clicking on the favourites star and then select History instead of favourites?

14

You right Hazel its in there along with feeds what ever those are.

Thanks you're a gem again.

I've been having another slight problem the last couple of days. I use google.co.uk as my home page. If I type something in to search for then list comes up. If I click on a link it normally shows on the same page. Now it opens a new page with someone elses search engine or porn. I uninstalled IE7.0 so it put back 6.0 and that did the same so I reinstalled 7.0 again. Now AltaVista, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, Lycos and Mamma all show as they should do. Please don't say use FireFox or Opera. ;)

15
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If I click on a link it normally shows on the same page. Now it opens a new page with someone elses search engine or porn. I uninstalled IE7.0 so it put back 6.0 and that did the same so I reinstalled 7.0 again. Now AltaVista, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, Lycos and Mamma all show as they should do. Please don't say use FireFox or Opera. ;)

Keithuk, that sounds like a browser redirect / virus...

<Because I Have To> Use firefox, you n00b </>