Resolving IE6 Compatibility Issues

Due to Internet Explorer (IE) 8 support for Web standards and security improvements to IE organizations deploying Windows 7 with IE8 or the upcoming IE9 might need to first resolve IE6 compatibility problems with Web content and applications. One solution considered by some customers is application virtualization technology such as Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) or application virtualization from other vendors such as Symantec or VMware that runs IE6 on Windows 7 alongside IE8. Although this may appear an easy fix, the approach is neither supported nor licensed by Microsoft. Organizations that cannot resolve browser-compatibility problems by fixing Web content and applications will have to rely on other virtualization technologies.

Supported IE6 Compatibility Resolutions

The best way to address a browser-compatibility problem is to determine which functions no longer work and fix the Web site and its application code.

In many cases, it may be possible to work around the problem or use hardware virtualization or Remote Desktop Services (RDS) to continue running the older OS and IE6. As Windows XP nears the end of its supported life, however, fixing applications should be prioritized over continuing to run a version of Windows that will not be supported much longer.