Detect IE version (prior to v9) in JavaScript

Question

I want to bounce users of our web site to an error page if they\'re using a version of Internet Explorer prior to v9. It\'s just not worth our time and money to

Answer 1

This is my preferred way of doing it. It gives maximum control. (Note: Conditional statements are only supported in IE5 - 9.)

First set up your ie classes correctly

Then you can just use CSS to make style exceptions, or, if you require, you can add some simple JavaScript:

(function ($) {
    "use strict";

    // Detecting IE
    var oldIE;
    if ($('html').is('.lt-ie7, .lt-ie8, .lt-ie9')) {
        oldIE = true;
    }

    if (oldIE) {
        // Here's your JS for IE..
    } else {
        // ..And here's the full-fat code for everyone else
    }

}(jQuery));

Thanks to Paul Irish.