Internet Explorer 9 Will Never Be on Windows XP
Looks like IE9 isn't made for the corporate world.
Microsoft this week launched the first beta for Internet Explorer 9, and most early reviews are positive. IE9 brings Microsoft's web browser up to modern standards, and that forward, progressive attitude is applying to operating systems as well – because the new Internet Explorer will never be on Windows XP.
In ditching Windows XP, the IE development team has been able to integrate IE9 into Windows 7 at a far better level than any browser yet. While multi-platform browsers like Firefox or Chrome perform well on Windows 7, IE9 has the advantage of being focused on modern Windows and has features such as webpage pinning and custom jump lists.
One of the issues, however, is that Windows XP is still the most commonly used version of Windows. From a pure user base perspective, it's odd that the biggest piece of the pie is ignored. But for a "free" piece of software like IE, Microsoft could be counting on IE9 driving some upgrades licenses from XP to Windows 7.
Another reason is that Microsoft had to leave Windows XP behind to remain competitive in the browser market, which is moving ahead with new features such as hardware acceleration.
Ryan Gavin, senior director of IE business and marketing, told the Register, "A modern web needs a modern operating system," and that Microsoft would "continue to focus on how we do a great job with Windows 7."

Now as for forcing some XP users to upgrade...mmm...some will rather try another browser specially if their computer is pretty old.
Some users lost, some users gained...it's always like that.
Now as for forcing some XP users to upgrade...mmm...some will rather try another browser specially if their computer is pretty old.
Some users lost, some users gained...it's always like that.
I guess MS is just trying to be 'good enough' so that users don't switch browsers after an OS reinstall
Only people who are forced to because of various ActiveX applications or due to IE integration with other software or services. Most of these people are in the corporate sector, and are still using Windows XP. So yeah, I don't see IE9 as a big mover for Microsoft. I use IE at work, on my Windows XP machine my employer owns. Heck, I had to install IE7 myself, it was still running IE6 last summer when they re-imaged it.
I run Windows 7 at home, but have no need to upgrade IE as I never use. Don't care how much better it is than IE8, it won't be better than Opera.
Not trying to be a grammer snob, Im not perfect either but...
Another anti-trust lawsuit in he making.
A vast portion of the Corporate world. At least in the US. I'd also wager that a large portion of the world in-general still uses IE, based on usage reports...=)
And No MS I will not upgrade to W7 just to get IE....lol
Isn't this what got them in trouble along time ago when the kicked Netscape in the balls? Integrating the browser with the OS.
I agree that WinXP needs to be phased out but it doesn't mean ignoring customer needs. The article has a good point about Chrome, Opera, FireFox and Safari all running great on XP.
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
And as a web programmer, FFS can we please kill IE6 already. Hopefully this is yet another small step.
Never say never...if there is a mean there is always a way.
Just way till hackers start playing with IE9...you might even find it for Win 98
If the other browser companies choose not to leverage all of the published APIs, how is that grounds for an anti-trust lawsuit? Mozilla does leverage the APIs for some rendering, but only for items in the browser page area.
Microsofts "advantage" is that they are developing IE9 for a single platform. Everyone else is writing for a lot more than that and as such have decided that not to write a specfic version for Windows just so they can implement full hardware acceleration.
You sound surprised, but then if your company lets users install software...that alone says alot about the people you work for.