With the delivery of RC 1 of Windows Server 2003 & Windows x64 Client last month, we shipped not one but two browsers with the OS: a 32- and 64-bit version of IE6 for Windows Server 2003 SP1/x64.
We had to make a choice with the 64-bit client as to which browser, the 32-bit or 64-bit, would be the default. Compatibility, performance, and interoperability all played a part in our decision, but ultimately our decision was swayed by the lack of 64-bit native controls. We found that in our own every day use of the 64-bit client, the 64-bit browser was difficult to use because web sites hadn’t authored common controls for 64-bit clients. So for now, users who run the 64-bit client will be running the 32-bit browser.
Going forward, it’s important for control vendors to start taking the 64-bit OS seriously. When Longhorn ships, I personally think it would be a shame if we had to make the same decision again. I encourage all control authors to take a look at the various 64-bit capable compilers and make sure that their web sites handle browsers of various bitness as easily as, say, they handle different browsers.
That said, the 64-bit browser is available in the 64-bit client. Here's a list of which version of our browser gets launched and under which circumstances:
UI entry points that invoke 32-bit IE:
- Pinned “Internet” slot at top of Start menu - “e” on desktop (Internet shell namespace) - “Set Program Access & Defaults” default web browser - Start menu All Programs shortcut to 32-bit IE labeled as “Internet Explorer (32-bit)” - Quick launch bar - File associations
UI entry points that invoke 64-bit IE:
- Start menu All Programs shortcut to 64-bit IE labeled as “Internet Explorer (64-bit)”
Non-UI entry points:
- In-proc COM servers follow the bitness of the invoker - API (i.e. ShellExecute() ‘iexplore.exe’) will invoke 32-bit IE - Out-of-proc programmable COM servers (i.e. a host app that CoCreates CLSID_Internet Explorer) will by default follow the bitness of the invoker. Clients have the ability to modify this behavior by passing one of two new dwClsContext flags to CoCreateInstance(). CLSCTX_ACTIVATE_32_BIT_SERVER and CLSCTX_ACTIVATE_64_BIT_SERVER tell COM to prefer the LocalServer32 registration in the 32-bit or 64-bit side of the registry, respectively.
Almost all of these defaults can be changed by users or administrators by toggling switches in the registry. We’ll get a complete list of those registry keys published soon and when they’re up we’ll let you know where they are.
-Christopher