Last updated: 13 March 2010
- Why do you call it a platform preview?
- As you can see, the Internet Explorer Platform Preview is not a full web browser. It’s intended to give Web developers
an early look at the Web platform technology coming in the next release of Internet Explorer. To distinguish it from a full
browser, we call it a platform preview.
- Why doesn’t Platform Preview have a back button or address bar?
- Our focus with Internet Explorer Platform Preview is to provide a vehicle with which Web developers can see our progress and start planning if and how they want to support new HTML5 capabilities in the future. It is not intended
for daily browsing. For a more detailed discussion of the architecture of Platform Preview see Why No Back Button?
- Why not just release a full beta?
- The Platform Preview is not intended to replace the beta version that will be released as a full browser once the build has reached the customer quality bar for release. Microsoft is releasing the Platform Preview to give developers the opportunity to test and provide feedback on the underlying platform for Internet Explorer 9. You can find more about what is implemented in the release notes.
- How often will be you be updating this?
- We hope to release a new version of Internet Explorer Platform Preview approximately every 8 weeks.
- When will the first beta ship?
- We will release beta of Internet Explorer 9 when feedback from the Platform Preview releases
indicates we have a high-quality Web platform that can be used for everyday browsing of the Web.
- Why are some of the demos not usable with the keyboard or assistive technologies?
- The Test Drive site demonstrates the use of new Web technologies, and we’re excited to be sharing these new capabilities
with you through this site. Our demos are works-in-progress, and as we develop a better understanding of these technologies
we’ll be improving the quality of the demos on this site. For example, keyboard access to individual SVG elements
is limited and some demos may not be functional for all users. Microsoft is committed to supporting accessibility in these
technologies. We’re working with Web standards organizations, the assistive technology industry, and end-users to deliver
accessible experiences when these new technologies are used.
- Do these demos represent best practices for Web development?
- Like the Platform Preview, these demos are an early look at what’s developers can do with Internet Explorer 9, and the demos are works-in-progress. Our goal for these demos is to convey concepts, and the demos are not intended to be used as best practices for Web development. We focused our efforts on creating great code in the browser, not in the demos. So treat these demos as illustrative only as to the capabilities of this early release, and expect that we will be adding more regularly.
- Does Platform Preview replace my current Internet Explorer?
- No, it does not, though it does share some settings with your existing Internet Explorer intsallation. One of the best features of Platform Preview is that it installs side-by-side with earlier versions of Internet Explorer and any other
browser(s) on your computer.
- What are the system requirements for Platform Preview?
- You need a Windows PC running either Windows 7 or Vista. On Vista, you need to have installed Internet Explorer
8 and you need to install the Platform Update
for Windows Vista, available on Windows Update since October, 2009. Platform Preview is only available in a 32-bit
x86 version but it will install and run on 64-bit Windows 7 and Vista.
- Does Platform Preview run on Windows XP?
- No. Internet Explorer 9’s GPU-powered graphics take advantage of new technologies available in Windows 7 and back-ported
only to Windows Vista. These technologies depend on advancements in the display driver model introduced first in Windows
Vista.
- Will the final release of Internet Explorer 9 install side by side with earlier versions of Internet Explorer 8? Will Internet Explorer 9 run on Windows XP?
- It’s too early to talk about features of the Internet Explorer 9 Beta. Our focus with Internet Explorer Platform Preview is to provide a vehicle with which Web developers can test their sites today and start planning if and how they want to support new HTML5 capabilities in the future. It is not intended for daily browsing.
- Why do some links open in my browser?
- When a hyperlink targets a new window, Platform Preview opens it in your default browser. Since Platform Preview
cannot be registered as your system’s default browser, the link does not open in it.
- You showed HTML5 <video> at MIX10 but it doesn’t work in the Platform Preview.
- The demo of HTML5 <video> at MIX10 was a preview of a future release of the Platform Preview. Stay tuned for more!
