She kept one Windows 7 VM with IE9 32-bit alive for years, long after Microsoft stopped supporting it. A museum piece, but a working one.
Because the 32-bit version was unexpectedly fast . Microsoft had introduced a new JavaScript engine, Chakra (codename), hardware-accelerated graphics via Direct2D, and a sleek new UI with the address bar merged with the search box. It could render complex SVG, HTML5 video, and CSS3 shadows without coughing. internet explorer 9 32 bit
Microsoft had built two versions of IE9: a 64-bit edition for “future-proofing” and a 32-bit edition for… everything else. On paper, 64-bit meant more memory, better security, and raw power. But in reality, 64-bit IE9 was a disaster. Plugins like Flash, Silverlight, and even some ActiveX controls simply refused to work. Adobe took forever to deliver a stable 64-bit Flash. Java? Forget it. She kept one Windows 7 VM with IE9
When she finally decommissioned it in 2022, she whispered: “Goodnight, you weird, unsung 32-bit hero.” Microsoft had introduced a new JavaScript engine, Chakra