Plan browser support (SharePoint Server 2010)

 

Applies to: SharePoint Foundation 2010, SharePoint Server 2010

Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 supports several commonly used Web browsers. This article describes different levels of Web browser support, browser compatibility for published sites, and how ActiveX controls affect features.

In this article:

  • About planning browser support

  • Key planning phase of browser support

  • Browser support matrix

  • Browser details

  • Active X controls

  • Browser compatibility for publishing sites

  • Mobile browser support

About planning browser support

SharePoint Server 2010 supports several commonly used Web browsers. However, certain Web browsers might cause some SharePoint Server 2010 functionality to be downgraded, limited, or available only through alternative steps. In some cases, functionality might be unavailable for noncritical administrative tasks.

As part of planning your deployment of SharePoint Server 2010, we recommend that you review the browsers used in your organization to ensure optimal performance with SharePoint Server 2010.

If you are upgrading from SharePoint Portal Server 2003 to SharePoint Server 2010, additional considerations for browser support exist. For information, see Upgrade from SharePoint Portal Server 2003 to SharePoint Server 2010.

Key planning phase of browser support

Browser support is an important part of your SharePoint Server 2010 implementation. Before you install SharePoint Server 2010, ensure that you know which browsers SharePoint Server 2010 supports. The information in this article describes browser support in the following sections:

  • Browser support matrix

  • Browser details

  • Browser compatibility for publishing sites

Browser support matrix

The following table summarizes the support levels of commonly used Web browsers.

Browser Supported Supported with limitations Not supported

Internet Explorer 11

32-bit

64-bit

Internet Explorer 10

32-bit

64-bit

Internet Explorer 9

32-bit

64-bit

Internet Explorer 8

32-bit

64-bit

Internet Explorer 7

32-bit

64-bit

Internet Explorer 6

X

Google Chrome (latest publically released version)

X

Mozilla Firefox (latest publically released version)

X

Apple Safari (latest publically released version)

X

Browser details

You should review the details of the Web browser that you have or plan to use in your organization to ensure that the Web browser works with SharePoint Server 2010 and according to your business needs.

Internet Explorer versions

The product group makes every effort to validate that SharePoint functionality works correctly with released versions of Internet Explorer. Customers who want a more deeply validated browser interaction experience should strongly consider Internet Explorer.

Internet Explorer 11

The following operating system support Internet Explorer 11:

  • Windows 8.1

  • Windows 8

  • Windows 7

Note

Internet Explorer 11 edge mode is not supported. Add sites to the Compatibility View list to make some features work.

Internet Explorer 10

The following operating system support Internet Explorer 10:

  • Windows 8

  • Windows 7

Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9

The following operating systems support Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2

  • Windows Server 2008

  • Windows Server 2003

  • Windows 7

  • Windows Vista

  • Windows XP

Note

Windows XP is in extended support until April 8, 2014. For more information about the support lifecycle, see Windows lifecycle

Internet Explorer 7

Internet Explorer 7 is supported on the following operating systems:

  • Windows Server 2008

  • Windows Server 2003

  • Windows Vista

  • Windows XP

Note

Windows XP is in extended support until April 8, 2014. For more information about the support lifecycle, see Windows lifecycle

Internet Explorer 6

SharePoint Server 2010 does not support Internet Explorer 6.

If you use publishing sites, see Browser compatibility for publishing sites later in this article.

Other browsers

Google Chrome (latest publicly released version)

The following operating systems support Google Chrome:

  • Windows 8

  • Windows Server 2008 R2

  • Windows Server 2008

  • Windows Server 2003

  • Windows 7

  • Windows Vista

  • Windows XP

Note

Windows XP is in extended support until April 8, 2014. For more information about the support lifecycle, see Windows lifecycle

Mozilla Firefox (latest released version plus immediate previous version)

For example, if the latest released version is 10, then version 9 is also supported.

The following operating systems support Mozilla Firefox:

  • Windows 8

  • Windows Server 2008 R2

  • Windows Server 2008

  • Windows Server 2003

  • Windows 7

  • Windows Vista

  • Windows XP

Note

Windows XP is in extended support until April 8, 2014. For more information about the support lifecycle, see Windows lifecycle

Apple Safari (latest publicly released version)

The following operating systems support Safari:

  • Windows 8

  • Mac OSX (Snow Leopard and Lion)

  • Windows 7

  • Windows Vista

  • Windows XP

Note

Windows XP is in extended support until April 8, 2014. For more information about the support lifecycle, see Windows lifecycle

ActiveX controls

Some functionality in SharePoint Server 2010 requires the use of ActiveX controls. This produces limitations on browsers which do not support ActiveX. Currently only 32-bit versions of Internet Explorer support this functionality. All other browsers have the following limitations.

Feature Limitation

Connect to Outlook, Connect to Office, and Sync to SharePoint Workspace

Works with an ActiveX control and the stssync:// protocol. Therefore, functionality may be limited without an ActiveX control, such as the one that is included in Microsoft Office 2010. The feature also requires an application that is compatible with the stssync:// protocol, such as Microsoft Outlook.

Datasheet view

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control.

Edit in Microsoft Office application

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control.

File upload and copy

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control.

Microsoft InfoPath 2010 integration

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Picture Library integration

Requires a 64-bit ActiveX control, such as the one that is delivered in Microsoft Office 2010. Users can use the following workarounds when no control is installed:

  • If you want to upload multiple pictures in a picture library, you have to upload one picture at a time by using Upload.aspx.

  • If you want to edit a picture in a picture library, you have to download the picture, edit it, and then upload the picture to the picture library.

  • If you want to download more than one picture from a picture library, you have to download one picture at a time by clicking the picture link.

Microsoft Visio 2010 diagram creation

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control.

New Document

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control.

Although the New Document command may not work, you can use the Upload Document functionality. If you install and configure Office Web Applications on the server, the New Document command works, and you can create an Office document in your browser.

Send To

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control.

Without the control, you cannot send files from one SharePoint farm to another SharePoint farm. However, you can still send files from one site to another site.

Signing forms (InfoPath Form Services)

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control.

Spreadsheet and database integration

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control. Users can use the following workarounds when no control is installed:

  • If you want to edit a document, you have to download the document, edit it, and then save it back to the server.

  • In a list that requires a document to be checked out for editing, you have to use the Edit menu to check out the document, edit it, and then check it in by using the Edit menu.

  • Export to spreadsheet. You can export a SharePoint list as a spreadsheet by clicking Export to Spreadsheet on the List tab on the ribbon.

Slide library and PowerPoint 2010 integration

Microsoft Office 2010 does not provide a 64-bit version of this control. Users can use the following workarounds when no control is installed:

  • Delete a slide. You can delete a slide by first clicking the slide, and then clicking Delete Slide. Repeat for each slide.

For Microsoft Office 2010 (64-bit), only the following controls work with 64-bit browsers:

  • ppslax.dll – Slide library and PowerPoint 2010 integration

  • name.dll – Presence information

Browser compatibility for publishing sites

For publishing sites, the Web Content Management features built into SharePoint Server 2010 provide a deep level of control over the markup and styling of the reader experience. Page designers can use these features to help ensure that the pages they design are compatible with additional browsers, including Internet Explorer 6, for viewing content. However, page designers are responsible for creating pages that are compatible with the browsers that they want to support.

A standards-based browser, such as Internet Explorer 9 or Mozilla Firefox, is required to author content.

Mobile browser support

The following table summarizes the support levels of commonly used mobile browsers

Mobile device operating system

Minimum operating system Version

Browser

Windows Phone

7.0

Internet Explorer

Apple iOS

4.0

Safari

Google Android

2.1

Android Browser

Research in Motion (RIM) Blackberry

4.0

Blackberry Browser

Nokia Symbian

3

Nokia Browser