Internet Explorer 9 Will Never Work on XP

It's a modern browser for modern systems.

Tuesday Internet Explorer general manager Dean Hachamovitch introduced Internet Explorer 9 to MIX10 attendees. The reveal showed that the new browser is slated to support HTML5, hardware-accelerated graphics and text, and will also use a new JavaScript engine. Microsoft even made available a downloadable "platform preview," mainly designed for developers but was also open for general viewing.

However Tuesday we discovered that the IE9 platform preview wouldn't install on Windows platforms older than Vista SP2. The demo itself wasn't really usable as a browser: it lacked a full user interface. But despite its limitations, it was assumed that the lack of pre-Vista SP2 support was only applied to the current download.

That's not the case. In fact, Microsoft has now made it perfectly clear that Internet Explorer 9 will not work on Windows XP now or in the future. "Building a modern browser requires a modern operating system," Hachamovitch said during a press conference at the event.

For users of the older OS, Internet Explorer 8 might be the last new browser from Microsoft.

In related news, CNET reports that Hachamovitch also briefly talked about codecs Microsoft will support in Internet Explorer 9, however Hachamovitch would only "commit to H.264."

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There are 82 Comments.

Top Comments

31

sliem , March 19, 2010 3:49 AM

So... we stay with Firefox/Chrome, yes?
29

N.Broekhuijsen , March 19, 2010 3:49 AM

Truly though this seems more like a nice excuse for Microsoft to start getting rid of Windows XP.
29

N.Broekhuijsen , March 19, 2010 3:47 AM

I know something that DOES work on windows XP: FIREFOX!!!

Other Comments

29

N.Broekhuijsen , March 19, 2010 3:47 AM

I know something that DOES work on windows XP: FIREFOX!!!
-17

RipperjackAU , March 19, 2010 3:47 AM

Looks like Micro$haft is favouring the stick over the carrot, in forcing users on their latest and greatest version of Windows. Mind you, it was only a matter of time before they made Windows XP the "neglected, chained to the basement red-headed step child."
31

sliem , March 19, 2010 3:49 AM

So... we stay with Firefox/Chrome, yes?
29

N.Broekhuijsen , March 19, 2010 3:49 AM

Truly though this seems more like a nice excuse for Microsoft to start getting rid of Windows XP.
21

noodlegts , March 19, 2010 3:51 AM

Good. It's about time that people stopped using XP.

I still can't believe computers still run that OS. It's 10 years old!
-6

anonymous@guest , March 19, 2010 3:53 AM

Fine with me, I'll continue to use any web browser that isn't IE just so I don't have to be forced to upgrade.
19

haftarun8 , March 19, 2010 3:54 AM

It may have to do with how IE9 is offloading the actual rendering to the GPU? I know that's possible with XP but maybe not the way they're trying to implement it? Excuse to leave XP or no, I'm enjoying Windows 7 and can't wait to check this out when it's actually in Beta.
19

NapoleonDK , March 19, 2010 3:57 AM

I'm confused, why is this a big deal? Can't we let our beloved legacy rest in peace? Fond memories may abound, but the only XP I use anymore is a hacked up mutant abomination XP-on-a-stick for booting new builds to make sure they work before sending them out.
21

spigias , March 19, 2010 3:59 AM

Internet Explorer 9 Will Never Work on XP,
i really really really DON'T CARE!!!
14

thedipper , March 19, 2010 3:59 AM

Of course they're trying to make people stop using XP. XP support is only costing them money at this point, those deveopers could be located elsewhere, doing something that actually makes sense, rather than providing support code for an outdated OS.

Users on really old machines running XP are hurting the entire computing industry.
6

Bolbi , March 19, 2010 4:00 AM

I think haftarun8 is correct in that IE9 needs the new rendering feature in Vista SP2 and higher. The IE9 Platform Preview's demos are interesting. (And SVG-oids is even addictive!)
8

esquire468 , March 19, 2010 4:04 AM

noodlegtsGood. It's about time that people stopped using XP.I still can't believe computers still run that OS. It's 10 years old!

Many non-tech related businesses, including where I work, still use XP as there is simply no reason to upgrade. It never made any sense (financially and technologically, both on software side and the hardware side) to upgrade to Vista, and to upgrade to Windows 7 would be expensive, and it is still somewhat premature to adopt a fairly new OS. Most businesses do not adopt a new OS until after the first SP.
0

Tomsguiderachel , March 19, 2010 4:04 AM

More info and screenshots here:
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/151-Microsoft-IE9-HTML5.html
-5

dbowlin17 , March 19, 2010 4:04 AM

the only issue with xp is the ability to install programs without permission. just because it is 10 years old doesn't mean that it is bad or anything... there are some people in this world who don't actually replace everything they own the moment something new is out, or even until their older thing stops working. xp is still a great OS.
2

apache_lives , March 19, 2010 4:08 AM

GOOD
3

micky_lund , March 19, 2010 4:11 AM

i've converted my parents and their XP machines over to chrome. never looked back
this won't change anything. they wont upgrade OS till they upgrade their hardware
-4

Tomtompiper , March 19, 2010 4:12 AM

noodlegtsGood. It's about time that people stopped using XP.I still can't believe computers still run that OS. It's 10 years old!

That must give comfort to the Netbook users who were conned into buying Machines with XP installed three months ago. Way to go Microsoft. Buy a Microsoft Netbook get a brick, or I suppose they could always cough up the extra for Windows7. Rip off or what?
-4

sliem , March 19, 2010 4:13 AM

noodlegtsGood. It's about time that people stopped using XP.I still can't believe computers still run that OS. It's 10 years old!

Um no. Things work in XP... and there is no need to upgrade.
-4

arnweb , March 19, 2010 4:16 AM

Opera 10.50 will run on Windows 2000 (Also Win98 - with some modification). Other browsers will run too. So who cares?
I think this decision will make IE more isolated.
1

war2k9 , March 19, 2010 4:26 AM

I love xp. At some point xp must go.
i DON'T USE IE SO I AM GOOD.

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