IE 11 - 32 bit or 64 bit?

cerebralhigh · 6 May 2014 at 10:36

Can someone please clarify this for me. I believe that IE 11 tabs run as 32 bit by default in the desktop for windows 8.1, but as 64 bit in the app version? Is that correct?

I've had a look for the 32 bit .exe file but there doesn't seem to be one. Thanks for any help in advance.

Commala · 6 May 2014 at 15:31

IE11 desktop runs as 32-bit by default, but you can enable the 64-bit version under the browser's advanced settings (along with enhanced protected mode if you so desire). The IE11 app is already running as a 64-bit app with enhanced protection mode enabled, and can't be enabled to run any other way as far as I am aware.

Django x2 · 6 May 2014 at 15:36

Actually, that's incorrect. IE11 in Windows 8/8.1 runs as 64bit by default. In Windows 7, IE runs in 32bit mode, unless specified.

Right click on the IE icon in a task bar of a Win 8/8.1 machine and you'll see the file location listed as C:\Program Files. On a 64bit machine, that's 64bit IE.

cerebralhigh · 6 May 2014 at 17:19

Thanks to both of you for your replies. It would be great if someone else could weigh in and clarify who is correct.

It seems that there are two iexplore.exe files. One can be found in the 'Program Files' folder and the other is in the 'Program Files (x86)' folder. They're both called 'iexplore.exe'. Are these different versions of IE?

Django, when I right click the IE icon on the taskbar and look at 'Properties' it does indeed direct me to a .exe file inside the 'Program Files' folder.

I read somewhere that Windows 8.1 desktop was 32 bit by default (as Commala suggested), but I've no idea if this is true. FWIW I've installed update 1, so it's as up to date as currently possible.

I need to use the 32 bit version of IE 11 for work purposes. It was really easy to choose one or the other with Windows 7, but not so with Windows 8 it seems...

KIA · 6 May 2014 at 18:32

The individual tabs will be 32bit if Enhanced Protected Mode isn't enabled.

You can use Process Explorer to view detailed process information.

andshrew · 6 May 2014 at 18:59

As above the main process is 64bit in Windows 8, with the default rendering process being 32bit for compatibility. You need to use the above setting to force it to 64bit.

The modern IE is always 64bit.

Some more details...

cerebralhigh · 6 May 2014 at 20:24

Thanks andshrew for the link. Most of it is over my head but I think I understand the gist of it. I didn't know there was a distinction between manager processes and content processes.

@KIA: I've just looked and those options are unchecked so I assume that when I'm running a browser on the desktop (as opposed to the 'app' version of IE) then it will be working in 32 bit mode. That's great because that's what I need for work.

So does that mean when I'm browsing generally (as opposed to when I'm working), I should always have enhanced protection mode enabled? Presumably this offers better security and performance? Assuming of course I don't normally use 32 bit add-ons.

Django x2 · 7 May 2014 at 09:06

The only reason this came up for me was because of setting Group Policy reg keys explicit to Windows 8.1 and IE11. They didn't apply until specified as the Program Files folder (rather than the x86 folder)