With the Windows versions of Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 and the forthcoming 6.0, Microsoft has changed the way the browser software works. The Web browser no longer supports Netscape-style plug-ins. In recent days, this has caused great consternation for users of Apple’s QuickTime software, because it’s caused QuickTime to stop working. QuickTime utilizes just such a plug-in scheme in order to function. Now Apple has provided an ActiveX control that restores this capability.
Windows users who recently updated their copies of Internet Explorer to version 5.5 SP2 encountered a “broken plug-in” icon when they’d try to play a QuickTime movie in the browser. Users of other browsers — including IE on Mac OS 9 and X — are totally unaffected. This is specific to Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 and the forthcoming 6.0 version on Windows.
The ActiveX control available for download from Apple’s Web site corrects this problem — it, combined with the QuickTime plug-in, restores Windows IE 5.5 SP2 and 6.0 with the ability to play QuickTime movies.
Apple’s Web site now features a page of information explaining the problem in detail for both Internet Explorer users and Web developers and administrators affected by the problem. The page also contains a link to a download page where users who wish to get the QuickTime ActiveX control can now do so.