Internet Explorer 8 Beta and CRM 4.0

Note: if you’re looking for compatibility
information with Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2,
check out this post link here.

Internet Explorer 8 Beta has recently made some news among the web developer community because it renders the Acid2 test correctly. While it may appear to be a simple test (one big yellow smiley face), it’s actually quite an achievement for Microsoft. As the MSDN IEBlog states: “Acid2 is one test of how modern browsers work with some specific features across several different web standards.”

Now, if you’ve been wondering how Internet Explorer 8 Beta interacts with CRM, it’s your lucky day! As your willing guinea pig, I’ll give you the play by play.

• First I downloaded the IE8 Beta setup file, which can be found at this link if you’re interested. Be sure to download the correct version for your OS (ie. XP, Vista or Server)
• The actual installation took about 10 minutes, then prompted me for a reboot. No issues during the install, so far so good.
• After coming back from a fresh reboot, I double clicked on my IE icon.
• Looks like IE 8 Beta doesn’t play well with my Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar! I got the prompt below which took me to this KB article. IE 8 Beta automatically disabled it, so luckily I’m not missing it too much right now.
• Now, on to the CRM 4.0 website! To my dismay I get an “Unsupported Security Settings” error message (screenshot below).
• Per the instructions, I took a look at the ActiveX Security settings in the Internet Options section but they looked fine to me.
• I closed IE8 Beta and decided to uninstall IE Developer Toolbar under “Add/Remove Programs” in the Control Panel. I’m sure there will be a compatible update soon enough, after IE8 goes RTM.
• I then fired up IE8 Beta, browsed to the CRM site and voila… my CRM admin control panel came up instantly!

Final Note:
In case you were wondering how it looks like, see below for my Acid2 test screenshot.