Internet Explorer 64-bit vs 32-bit

[rraehal]

I have several applications my office runs that do not work in multiple browsers. A couple of them use ActiveX controls that will not load in any browser except Internet Explorer 32-bit. My users use Chrome and Firefox for many things but I still need IE for a few applications.

We have started to Deploy Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. At different times my users end up in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer and this causes the company web applications to malfunction.

Is there a way I can provide a skin (or something) for 64-bit internet explorer that will make it appear different than 32-bit as soon as the browser is open? I want to make it visually obvious that my users are not in the right version of IE. Custom branding seems to affect both versions or I can not figure out how to specify the version.

Thanks

[Midknyte]

You could add custom .css to the Accessibility options. Check out this thread:
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/showthread.php?t=247626

Other than that, can you deny permissions to the 64-bit .exe via group policy?

[Ol'Tunzafun]

Have you tried adding the intranet site to the compatibility view list (on the Tools menu)? There is a checkbox especially for intranet sites. You might also check to see if you have this IE8 update for Win7 64bit.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=879dd7eb-c0e1-46e6-a0f9-d54bc39ff0a5

[rraehal]

Thanks Guys. The issue is related to ActiveX controls. Our company websites will not load in 64-bit IE because the developers do not have 64-bit activex controls.

I have open a support case with the developers of one site. I will see what they say.

I will look at the CSS option and see what the result is.

[rraehal]

I applied CSS in Internet Options. It applies the style sheet to both 64-bit IE and 32-bit IE. They use the same settings.

I did verify the compatibility view update is installed.

[JimF_In_Wash]

I stumbled across this posting when I was search for an answer to the same question.

Since I found a possible solution, I figured I would cross-post it here. This will add an icon to 64-bit IE that will give you at least a little visual difference between the 2 browsers:
- Go to http://www.enhanceie.com/ietoys/x64button.asp
(One of Eric Lawrence's site, the same person that provides Fiddler2)
- Download the file
- Close all copies of IE (either 32-bit or 64-bit)
- Run the installation file
- Opened IE9 64-bit but I didn't see the icon; I had to turn on the Command Toolbar and then I could see it
- Clicked the 32-bit icon on the Command Toolbar, IE9 32-bit opened, and it loaded the same page that was loaded in the 64-bit version