If FTM uses the current IE (Ver 8.0.6001.18702 on Window XP SP3) on the computer why does FTM not allow all of the functions of the IE like tab for different URL?

My primary Browser is Firefox 12, but I keep IE current, only to update the Windows OS. (MS will not update using Firefox)

When I installed FTM 2012, it appears not to use the current IE which allows the use of Tabs. The work around is to do web searches in FTM 2012, then drag the interesting URL's to Firefox so I can open other URL's found in a Firefox tab