Switch Between 32-bit and 64-bit Internet Explorer 10 in Windows 8

Update 22/09/2013: Looks like there is a bit more under the hood regarding Enhanced Protected Mode – read more here.

Here’s another quick tip for Windows 8 users.

In prior versions of 64-bit Windows there were two versions of Internet Explorer that came as part of the operating system. One was the regular 32-bit version as well as a native 64-bit version. An ongoing problem with 64-bit Internet Explorer is that plugins designed for the 32-bit version aren’t compatible with it but you still might fancy using it on Windows 8.

So, here’s how you enable it:

  1. Open Internet Explorer 10 on the desktop,
  2. Click the Settings cog up the top right corner of the window,
  3. Click the Advanced tab,
  4. Scroll down until you see Enable Enhanced Protected Mode* and tick the box next to it,
  5. Click OK,
  6. Restart Internet Explorer.
Switch Between 32-bit and 64-bit Internet Explorer 10 in Windows 8

Switch Between 32-bit and 64-bit Internet Explorer 10 in Windows 8

If you want to go back to 32-bit IE10 just head back in, untick the box and then restart Internet Explorer 10.

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    • manjunath on February 7, 2013 at 21:58
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    Hi can any one tell me is it the same case in Win 7 ?? i.e Switch Between 32-bit and 64-bit Internet Explorer 10 in Windows 7 is also possible or not???
    Is it applicable only in win 8 or what???

    1. I can’t confirm from my own experience but other sources confirm the capability to do this under Windows 7.

    • needtoknow on July 14, 2013 at 00:37
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    Can someone tell me if switching between 32 bit and 64 bit will solve the problem that I have when watching online videos in Yahoo emails? Currently, videos plays for a few seconds, then buffers for about ten seconds, then video starts to play again. This action is repeated over and over. Frustrating. I have windows 8, IE 10.

    1. I wouldn’t have thought so as it sounds more of a bandwidth issue rather than an issue with Flash. Does it happen with all online videos (i.e. YouTube, Ustream, etc)?

    • Mark on September 5, 2013 at 16:35
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    Tried this on Windows server 2012, but unfortunately it’s not working

    1. I have updated the post with a link to MSDN Blogs which indicates that the Internet Explorer application itself will always run in 64-bit mode (so long as you have a 64-bit CPU running a 64-bit version of Windows). Enabling and disabling Enhanced Protected Mode changes the supported content processes (i.e. add-ons) from 32-bit to 64-bit.

      If you’re looking in Task Manager for the indication of Internet Explorer running as a 32-bit app you won’t find it given the above.

    • hartzki on September 19, 2013 at 20:14
    • Reply

    Nah, doesn’t work for me either….

    1. Hi Kartzki, see my comment above 🙂

    • YASAR on December 9, 2014 at 22:06
    • Reply

    GREAT HELP,THNKS

  1. […] bit ga je naar C-> Program Files (x86). Om te wisselen tussen de 32 of 64 bit kan je de tip in deze link uitvoeren. je kan natuurlijk ook via je verkenner de 32 bit starten, zie […]

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