does internet explorer supports e.preventDefault

Question

Does internet explorer does not support e.preventDefault in javascript? If not what is the reason and what are the alternatives? Please do not suggest any solutions with libraries like jQuery, mootools, etc.

if (!e) e = window.event;

if (e.preventDefault) { 
    e.preventDefault(); 
} else {
    e.returnValue = false;
}

Answer 1

Ok if you insist:

event.preventDefault does not work, because it does not exist in IE.

For the reason why it does not exist, one would have to work for MS. But in general, IE is not always conform to the standards.

The documentation says you can set event.returnValue:

false
Default action of the event on the source object is canceled.

and further:

Remarks

The value of this property takes precedence over values returned by the function, such as through a Microsoft JScript return statement.

Standards Information

There is no public standard that applies to this property.

preventDefault seems to be supported in IE9.