The following browser recommendations are for ITS-supported web applications and are based on coordinated testing efforts between the ITS Help Desk and the developers for various ITS-suipported web applications. Because of the rapid changes to modern web browsers, please check back frequently as browser test results will be posted as soon as they are available.
Supported Windows browsers include Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. See Windows browser matrix for browser recommendations based on our test results.
Supported Mac OS browsers include Safari, Firefox, and Chrome. See Mac OS browser matrix for browser recommendations based on our test results.
While individual users and departments may have specific browser preferences, the recommendations are based on many factors:
Recommendations are the result of extensive testing, when possible, and reflect what works best for each application. ITS does not favor a particular browser and recommends what provides the best user experience.
Some applications are purchased externally, so recommendations and requirements come directly from the manufacturer. For example, the Peoplesoft and Banner systems have specific browser recommendations that are not set by ITS.
Operating systems may come with a specific browser version pre-installed and recommendations will not go backwards to lower versions. For example, Windows 7 comes with IE 8, so recommendations are for that version or higher. Note also that browsers can run differently under various operating systems. Thus, recommendations vary depending on the OS.
The ITS Help Desk provides support to all University users. With the broad range and large number of users across the system, it is necessary at some point to discontinue support for lower/out-dated browser versions and stay up-to-date with newer releases.
The ITS Help Desk also provides support for many applications across the system and every application, whether developed in-house or purchased externally, has unique requirements. The recommendations aim to provide consistency for users such that upgrading does not adversely affect the use of other applications. Therefore, recommendations are not always for the most current browser versions and ITS may not be able to provide definitive recommendations for current versions until full testing across applications is complete. The matrices will indicate when partial, but not comprehensive, testing has been done for a browser version to provide the best available results at any given time.
Windows 8 has been released with Internet Explorer 10. See Windows 8 Application Compatibility for Windows 8 and IE10 compatibility.
Firefox is on a rapid-release schedule. ITS supports the current version, the version immediately preceding the current version, and the latest Extended Support Release (ESR)version of Firefox.
Google Chrome is updated automatically. See Chrome Releases blog for current version details.
Before upgrading your operating system or browser, consult with the ITS Help Desk to verify that upgrading will not adversely affect the applications you use.
Browser versions can be very specific. Version numbers reflect changes to the browser's code, either because new features have been added or updates have been included to fix previous bugs. If you experience problems, make sure you are running a version that is properly supported.
The recommendations provided are what the ITS Help Desk currently supports and has tested. In some cases, applications may work using versions not listed in the browser matrices. However, if you experience problems with versions not listed in the browser matrices, the Help Desk will encourage the use of supported and tested browser versions.
