Web Browser Recommendations for SUNY Empire Web Sites and Applications

Relevant To: ESC Employees and Students

Introduction

Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Opera are the major web browsers supported by the university Information Technology Services (ITS) department and IT Service Desk. What does this mean?

While other popular browsers may work with our web based systems (DP Planner, registration, grading, financial aid, etc.), all functions or features may not work properly. ITS supports our enterprise systems to run effectively and securely with Firefox ESR, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari and Opera.

ITS also provides optional browsers with university issued computers, to effectively utilize all university technology resources and educational services including third party web applications such as the Brightspace Learning Management system, Learnscape video platform, Banner and others.

Web Browsers- College Owned Computers and Laptops

The following are the web browsers provided on university issued computers. Supported browsers are those browsers that will function with the majority of our enterprise systems, ensuring full functionality of features and security of university data. Optional browsers will also securely function with our systems but functionality between systems may vary.

Supported Browsers

• Google Chrome (Current version 91 or newer) - Available for MacOS (10.11+) and Windows (7+)
• Download Firefox (Current version 89 or newer) - Available for MacOS (10.9+) and Windows (7+)
• Download Opera (Current version 77 or newer) - Available for MacOS (10.11+) and Windows (7+)
• Download Edge (Current version 91 or newer) - Available for MacOS (10.12+) and Windows (10+)
• Apple Safari (Current version 14 or newer) - MacOS (10.12+) only (Included)

Web Browsers- Personal computer and laptops

For students and employees who may use their personal computers to access university websites and applications, the following recommendations are provideds. Supported browsers are those browsers that will function with the majority of our enterprise systems, ensuring full functionality of features and security of university data. Optional browsers will also securely function with our systems but functionality between systems may vary.

Supported Browsers

• Mozilla Firefox ESR 52.x   (download Firefox ESR for universities and businesses)
• Google Chrome (download Chrome)
• Opera (download Opera)
• Apple Safari 11.x or newer (download Safari)
• Microsoft Edge (Windows 10 machines only) (download Microsoft Edge)

Please Note: Firefox Quantum are not supported by the university and may not provide full functionality on the university websites.

Please Note:  No other operating systems, browser titles or versions can be supported by the IT Service Desk. This includes Beta versions of  FireFox, Microsoft Edge or other browsers.  Users Macs/PCs equipped with these browsers will either need to rollback to a compatible version of the browser, or install a supported alternative.

Web Browser Recommendations for  College Web Platforms

ITS recommends having several browsers available on your computer. This will provide options when working with the multiple enterprise systems that you work with daily. If you encounter a problem with a website or application, switching browsers can help confirm if there is a technical issue with the system itself, or simply localized to the web browser you were using. Finally, regular cache clearing for your browser is also recommended to insure web pages respond with the most recent, accurate information.

The following is a list of common university websites and hosted applications.  Listed are the recommended browsers for each application, as designated by the vendor or ESC. If the vendor has designated a preferred browser from the list they have provided, it is indicated  with a (P).